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The Borough of the Bronii
1639-1913
Cook, Tecumseh 1873
Dynix 1019411
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THE BOROUGH
OF THE BRONX
1639 - 1913
ITS MARVELOUS
DEVELOPMENT
AND HISTORICAL
SURROUNDINGS
BY
HARRY T. COOK
ASSISTED BY
NATHAN J. KAPLAN
PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR
AT 1660 BOONE AVENUE. NEW YORK
1913
\
COPYRIGHT. 1913
BY
HARRY T. COOK
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
n4' '
C'
FOREWORD
The Purpose of this book is to tell the story of the wonderful rise and de-
velopment of the Borough of The Bronx. It is a story of heroic endeavor,
individual self-denial, slow progress and final triumph. The hardy pioneers
who sacrificed their comforts and lives to wrest the wilderness from its
savage lords, and who blazed the path for progress and civilization, builded
better than they knew.
The teeming Borough today is a noble monument to the greatness of the
men who brought it into being. As long as it endures their achievements
will be told in song and story.
Here will be found a record of the extraordinary growth of this great
Borough. It is not the purpose of this work, however, to give a detailed
description of the early history of The Bronx, but rather a brief summary of
the most memorable events in its historical, commercial and municipal
development.
It has been the aim of this book to indicate the modern development and
future prospects of the Borough as well as to create associations of Colonial
and Revolutionary memories with which almost every inch of ground in the
Borough is hallowed.
In compiling a work of this kind, the author has had much assistance in
gathering material and making it accurate and authentic. He is especially
indebted to Mr. Nathan J. Kaplan for assistance rendered, suggestions made
and material furnished; also to Mr. James L. Wells, Mr. Louis F. HafFen,
Mr. Walter G. Scott, Mr. Lindsay M'Kenna, and Mr. Randall Comfort, who
furnished many of the photographs illustrating this book — all of whom have
rendered valuable service and made possible the publishing of this book.
Where facts could not be obtained from local residents, the author con-
sulted early histories and documents for his data.
Chief among the books consulted were Bolton's "History of Westchester
County"; Scharf's "History of Westchester Comity"; Comfort's "History of
the Borough of the Bronx"; Kelly's "Historic Guide to New York"; and
Jenkins* "The Story of The Bronx." The last mentioned work has been re-
cently issued and contains a mine of historic information relative to the
Borough. Besides these, a host of minor books, encyclopedias, newspapers
and magazines were drawn upon.
HARRY T. COOK.
; s
Like tall monument of granite
Standeth Tackamuck, the mourner,
Grieving for his vanished nation
Long years thriving in their vigor
'Mong the Bronx hills, but now scattered
As dead leaves by blasts of autumn.
In his vision sad the chieftain
Sees of white man's arts the progress
Through the long moons — arts transplanted
From the distant lands of sunrise
To grow fair in western tillage
And displace the Indian customs.
Out of stone brought from the quarries
The new builder rears his dwellings
Towering like the pines of forest,
Steadfast in the gales of winter,
Better than the deerskin wigwam
Gone from sight upon the morrow.
Through the waters once so tranquil —
On their placid wave reflecting
All the blueness of the heaven —
Now the boats of the bold stranger,
Every birch canoe surpassing,
Swiftly dash, like the strong salmon.
O'er the plains the steam horse rushes,
Faster than the flying pony
Ridden once by fearless warrior;
In the air above the tree tops
Soar the winged ships like eagles,
Mounting to the highest heaven.
All, 0 Tackamuck, has altered
Since in Bronx woods roamed thy people;
Yet their setting suns are followed
By a better morning's sunrise
For the Indian who surviveth
And for him who is thy brother.
'Tis the w\\\ of the Great Spirit
Ruling high above the storm clouds.
Maker of this earth so beauteous,
With its satisfying fountains
Flowing full for all his children.
Both the Red Man and the Pale Face.
— A. B. Sanford.
CONTENTS
Chapter Page
I. EARLY HISTORY 1
Henry Hudson Skirts the Western Shore of The Bronx, 1609
— His Encounter with the Indians — Adrien Block Explores the
Eastern Shore, 1614 — The Settlement and Development of The
Bronx — An Intimate Recital of Jonas Bronck, the First White
Settler to Locate There.
IL MORRISANIA 12
Colonial and Revolutionary Days — Story of the Public-Spirited
and Patriotic Morris Family — Lewis Morris, Signer of the Dec-
laration of Independence, Who Backed up His Signature by
Joining the Army with His Three Sons — Gouverneur Morris,
Statesman and Diplomat — Landmarks in Morrisania — Founda-
tion of Village in 1848.
in. DEVELOPMENT OF THE BRONX 23
What Organized and Intelligent Effort has Accomplished — The
Rush of Capital and Steady Flow of Population.
IV. A CITY WITHIN A CITY 30
How the Child Grew up a Giant — The Past Speaks in Thunder
Tones of the Prosperity Advancing Years Bring to the Home,
the Merchant and the Manufacturer — What Rapid Transit
Stands for in the Growth of a Metropolis.
V. BIG INDUSTRIES 36
Where Men and Women Shop — The Facilities Offered by Trac-
tion Companies — Proposed Improvements.
VL THE STORY OF GREAT BRIDGES 45
The Water Front That Invites Big Ships from Over the Seven
Seas — Early Highways.
Vn. THE PARKS 56
The Parks Show Nature in Her Happiest Mood — Broad Acres
Yield to Sport and Sentiment — Scenes Hallowed by Sacrifices
and Struggles of Our Ancestors — A Page of Old History — The
Bronx Beautiful Society.
VIIL EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS 72
How the Future of the Child is Anticipated and the Schools
Turn Out the Men and Women of Tomorrow — Churches — How
the Spiritual and Moral Welfare is Looked After — Hospitals —
Benevolent and Charitable Institutions — Cemeteries.
IX. OAK POINT : 83
The "Cradle of Cuban Liberty"— Wreck of the British Frigate
Hussar.
X. HUNT'S POINT 89
Colonial and Revolutionary Days — The Story of Joseph Rod-
man Drake — A Visit to "God's Little Acre."
XL THE ROMANCE OF BESSIE WARREN 102
The Daughter of Old Simon the Landlord of the "King's Arms"
— Her Love for the Dashing Officer Who Was Brandf i a British
Spy — The Maiden Who Did Not Forget But Answered the Sum-
CONTENTS
mons of a Beckoning Spirit and Was Taken Over the Great
Beyond.
XII. The "NEUTRAL GROUND" 106
The Indian Cave — Lep:gett and His Stolen Mare — The West-
chester Guides — Barretto's Point — Wooden Armchairs that
Came over with the Pilgrim Fathers.
XIII. NATHAN HALE '. 112
"I regret That I Have But One Life to Lose for My Country"
— Capt. Hale, the Patriot, Scholar and Soldier, Whose Mission
Brought Him Death But Spread His Name on the Living Pages
of History.
XIV. CLASON'S POINT 119
The Coney Island of The Bronx — Cornell's Neck — Three Clergy-
men Who Hid in a Farm House in the Days of the Revolution —
The Distinction of the Ferris Mansion at Zerega's Point — The
Fate of Anne Hutchinson.
XV. THROGG'S NECK 126
"The Lexington of Westchester" — How American Patriots Re-
pulsed the Enemy at Throgg's Neck — Colonel John Glover, the
Hero of Pell's Point, Who Saved Washington from Disastrous
Defeat — "Spy Oak," from Whose branches a Red-Coat was
Hanged.
XVL CITY ISLAND AND EASTCHESTER '133
The Blacksmith Who Refused to Shoe a Horse on Sunday —
Scenes That Figure in the Fight for Independence— President
John Adams in The Bronx.
XVIL WEST FARMS 141
The Homes of Notable Men: Foxhurst, Brightside, Sunnyside —
The Quaint Presbyterian Church at the Graves Where Heroes
Lie Buried — The Draft Riots During the Civil War — "Wish-
ing Rock," Where the Algonquin Braves Wooed the Fair Stock-
bridge Maids.
XVin. FORDHAM MANOR 150
Edgar Allan Poe and His Cottage at Fordham, Where He Won a
Niche in the Hall of Fame That He had Not Dreamed of — Fred-
erick Philipse Whose Ships Brought Fortunes to These Shores.
XIX. HISTORIC KINGSBRIDGE 158
Fort Independence and Other Old Fortifications — Story of Gen-
eral Richard Montgomery the Hero of Quebec.
XX. THE VAN CORTLANDTS 167
The Old Public-Spirited Colonial Family Who Figured Promi-
nently in American History — Cortlandt Manor Founded, 1697
— Pierre and Philip Van Cortlandt Who Scorned England's
Promises and Favors and Espoused the American Cause.
XXL PELHAM AND WESTCHESTER 173
Thomas Pell the Founder of Pelham Manor — The Glittering
Pageant of Lord Howe's Troops to Impress the Westchesterites
With the Strength of the British Army— History of St. Peter's
Church, Westchester.
XXIL THE OLD TIMERS' ASSOCIATION 183
Men Who Have Been Residents of The Bronx for Fifty Years
or More — An Interesting Chapter By its Historian, Sidwell S.
Randall.
INDEX , 189
ILLUSTRATIONS
Page-
Signing the Treaty with the Indians in 1642 at the Home of Jonas
Bronck Frontispiece
Pudding Rock a
Henry Hudson Monument 4
Lydig House, Bronx Park 7
Lewis Morris 12
Gouverneur Morris Mansion 16-
Wm. H. Morris Mansion 17
Outhouse, Morris Farm 18
Home Street, Looking East from Union Avenue in 1883 28
Old Vyse Mansion 31
Junction 149th Street and Third Avenue 37
McKinley Square 38
Boston Road, South from 166th Street in 1883 39
Forest Avenue, South from Home Street in 1883 40-
King's Bridge over Spuyten Uuyvil Creek in 1856 46
Farmer's Bridge (Dyckman's) over Spuyten Duyvil Creek in 1860 47
Free or Farmer's Bridge in 1910 48
Macomb's Dam Bridge over Harlem River in 1838 49
Macomb's Dam Bridge in 1861 50
Macomb's Mansion Kingsbridge 51
Willis Avenue Bridge 52
Pell Treaty Oak, Pelham Bay Park 58
Van Cortlandt Vault, Van Cortlandt Park 60
Van Cortlandt Mansion, Van Cortlandt Park 61
Van Cortlandt Mills 62
Tenth and Fifteenth Milestones 63
Hadley House 64
Indian Monument, Van Cortlandt Park 66
Elephant House, Bronx Park 67
"Gunda," the Famous Elephant of Bronx Park Zoo 68
Bird Court, Bronx Park 69
Lorillard Mansion, Bronx Park 70*
Bathgate Homestead 71
New York University 74
Morris High School 76
Casanova Mansion 84
Subterranean Passage and Cells 86-
Leggett's Lane 87
Hunt's Mansion 93
Relics Found in Hunt's Mansion 94
ILLUSTRATIONS
Hunt's Point Cemetery in 1900 98
Grave of Joseph Rodman Drake 99
Slave Burying Ground 101
Indian Cave 107
Mayflower Chairs 109
"Woodside" Mansion 110
The Locusts 113
Nathan Hale Monument in City Hall Park 116
Page from Memorandum Book 117
Watson Mansion 120
Ferris Mansion, Zerega's Point 121
Split Rock, Pelham Bay Park 123
Massacre of Anne Hutchinson's Colony 124
Spy Oak, Pelham Road 131
Paul Homestead 132
Old City Island Bridge 134
St. Paul's Church, Eastchester 13.7
Old Reid's Mill, Eastchester 139
Old Hunt Inn 142
We.st Farms Cemetery 144
Isaac Varian Homestead 146
Washington's Gun House 148
Edgar Allan Poe 150
Fordham Dutch Reformed Church 154
Gen. Richard Montgomery 158
Bronze Tablet, Fort Number One 159
Rev. Isaac Wilkins 173
Lord Hovi^e Chestnut 177
St. Peter's Church, Westchester 179
Group of "Old Timers" 184
CHAPTER I
EARLY HISTORY
Henry Hudson Skirts the Western Shore of The Bronx, 1609 — His Encounter
with the Indians — Adrien Block Explores the Eastern Shore, 1614 —
The Settlement and Development of The Bronx — An Intimate
Recital of Jonas Bronck, the First White Settler to Locate There.
The Borough of The Bronx affords a history probably
more remarkable and more unique than that of any
of her sister boroughs. Its numerous historic points of
interest, both civil and military, make it a center
of attraction to travelers from all over the United
States.
The important part The Bronx has played in the
making of this country's history is, however, not its
only claim to our interest. Of even greater significance
is its wonderful and rapid progress. There is not
another tract of land in the whole United States that
can boast of so marvelous a growth in population and
in development within the past, ten years. Indeed, so
prodigious has been its increase and so progressive its develop-
ment, that it has no parallel in the annals of municipal government.
Prior to the white man's invasion, this region was inhabited
by various tribes of Indians, the most noted of which were the
Mohegans, Weckquaesgeeks, Siwanoy, Sint Sines (or Sint Sincks),
Kitchenwonks (or Kitchawancs), Manhattans, Tankitekes and the
Taekmucks. They were the same in their general habits and
ways of life, but there was a marked distinction in their individual
character.
No one knows where the North American Indian originally
came from. There are many ingenious theories to explain his
presence on this continent. The most plausible and the one most
generally accepted is, that his ancestors found their way from
Asia across Behring Strait, many centuries ago, and, migrating
southward, gradually overspread North and South America. The
latest scientific researches corroborate this theory.
1
:2 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
Not content with this, scientists go still further back to what
they term the Glacial Era, when a mass of ice covered this land
and the only inhabitant of which was the "glacial man," a wild
savage whose features and characteristics resembled those of the
Esquimau.
Geologists who have made a careful study of the Glacial Period,
or Ice Age, say that in ages past nearly all of North America north
of the fortieth parallel was covered with moving ice sheets, or
glaciers. We find evidences of this everywhere even in our own
Borough, where rock surfaces have been ground and polished, and
great boulders, which have been carried along hundreds of miles
by the slowly moving glaciers, have found lodgment here and there.
The ''Rocking Stone," just west of the Buffalo range in Bronx
Park, which is an example, has been for years one of the curiosities
of that region. Tradition has it that sachems and medicine-men
of the various Indian tribes built their council-fires about this
colossal cube of pinkish granite and held there many a weird
seance.
A wager was once made between a neighboring farmer and
the foreman of the Lydig estate, upon which the stone stood, that
the combined efforts of twenty-four oxen could not dislodge it
from its bed, notwithstanding the fact that a single person push-
ing from the right direction, can easily sway it back and forth.
The presence of the rock on the same site attests the futility of
the effort.
Another gigantic boulder was "Pudding Rock," at Boston
Road and Cauldwell Avenue, just below East One Hundred Sixty-
sixth Street. This ancient landmark gained its name from its
resemblance to a pudding in the bag. On one side of the boulder
nature had chisled out a fireplace which the Indians used when
they held their corn feasts. It was also under the cool shade of this
mammoth rock that the tired Huguenots paused to rest when they
made their weekly pilgrimage from New Rochelle to worship at the
shrine of Old Trinity Church. This once cherished landmark is no
more. In order to make room for a modern residence, it has been
shattered into a thousand fragments by the advancing march of
civilization.
Other noted boulders that have been generally accepted as
relics of the Pleistocene period are "Black Rock," on Westchester
Avenue, just above the old Watson estate and the Westchester
EARLY HISTORY 3
Golf Club, and "Split Rock," on Prospect Hill Road, in Pel-
ham Bay Park. This great boulder is one of the interesting
sights of the neighborhood, and stands a few feet south of Split
Rock Road, not far from the city line. On a section of the same
historic roadway from which "Split Rock" may be seen, are
"Glover's Rock" and "Jack's Rock," the former emblazoned with
PUDDING ROCK
a bronze tablet in commemoration of the brave patriots under
Colonel Glover, who, while checking the advance of Howe's army,
enabled Washington to reach White Plains in safety. Many others
of less fame are scattered thruout the Borough.
From an historical point of view. The Bronx had its be-
ginning September 13, 1609, when Henry Hudson, the intrepid
English navigator, flying the Orange, White and Blue of the
United Provinces, sailed up the river which now bears his name;
THE HOROUGH OF THE BRONX
altho its actual history, dates with the arrival, thirty years later,
of Jonas Bronck, its first white settler.
To Hudson, who was employed by the Dutch East India Com-
pany, had been assigned the task of discovering a northwest pas-
sage to the Pacific — that long-sought sea-way to the Indies, for
which all the nations and the traders of Europe were then striv-
ing. He failed in this undertaking, but he brought back news that
was of far greater value to the Dutch nation than the route for
which he had been in search.
The Dutch were at that time the foremost commercial people
in the world, and it was not long after Hudson had made known
his discovery that venturesome Hollanders began to make their
appearance on Manhattan
trading with the Indians
try. As he sailed up the
the western shore of Man-
narrow strip of land, thir-
of the most diversified
beauty. It is said that
with the wild, picturesque
eyes that he anchored the
Duyvil to get a better and
chanted land. Hardly had
when the deep solitude of
by the loud whoops of In-
ridge opposite suddenly be-
horde of savages. Closer
fied village protected by a
torians tell us, was the In-
which was situated on Ber-
shore of Supyten
From the ex-
Moon cre-
evident
dians were
know what
this strange ap- "e^ry hudson monument
anchor off their
some evil spirit the medicine-men of some hostile tribe sent to awe
them, or was she a stranger from some distant country? But
Island for the purpose of
and of exploring the coun-
magnificent river skirting
hattan, Hudson found a
teen and a half miles long,
scenery and great natural
Hudson was so impressed
country spread before his
Half Moon off Spuyten
closer view of the en-
the vessel come to a stop
the wilderness was broken
dians, and the wooded
came alive with a wild
inspection disclosed a forti-
strong stockade. This, his-
dian village of Nipinchsen,
rian's Neck on the north
Duyvil Creek,
citement the Half
ated, it was
that the In-
at a loss to
to make of
parition lying at
village. Was she
i
EARLY HISTORY 5
whether she was friend or foe, their curiosity would not down, and
presently they put out from the shore in several canoes and boldly
headed for the Half Moon. Their dread of the supernatural powers
the strange craft might possess apparently had forsaken them and
they came aboard and inspected her with the greatest interest.
As they started to return to their canoes, an attempt was made
to detain two of their number. The Indians vigorously resented
this breach of hospitality. Before the Half Moon got under way
they leaped overboard and made their escape, and when they
reached shore they shrieked disdain and scorn at Hudson.
It may have been a coincidence, but it is an established fact
that the next stop Hudson made after leaving Spuyten Duyvil was
Yonkers, then the Indian village of Nappeckamok, and the
present northern boundary line of The Bronx. It will thus
be seen that he practically outlined the Borough. Be that as it
may, The Bronx citizens, at the suggestion of Wm. C. Muschenheim,
have commemorated that event by erecting a beautiful monument
on the brow of the hill which overlooks the scene of his first
anchorage.
The monument, designed by Walter Cook, is in the shape of a
Roman Doric column, 100 feet in height, and it stands on an
elevation of 200 feet from the river. The shaft is to be sur-
mounted by a sixteen-foot statue of Henry Hudson, sculptured by
Karl Bitter. There is to be a balcony at the top of the column,
to be reached by means of a spiral stairway within the shaft,
from which a magnificent panoramic view of The Bronx can
be had.
Another tribute paid to the memory of this great admiral is
the Hudson Memorial Bridge now in process of construction. This
magnificent structure is to span Spuyten Duyvil Creek at its con-
fluence with the Hudson River and is to connect the Boulevard
Lafayette with the beautiful Spuyten Duyril Parkway. The bridge
was to have been constructed by 1909, the three hundredth anni-
versary of Hudson's explorations, but the plans did not meet with
the approval of the Municipal Art Commission.
Hudson ascended the river to Albany, holding communication
with the Indians along the way, and so kind and friendly was their
disposition toward him that he wrote of them as the "loving peo-
ple." On September 23d, he began his return voyage, sailing
thru the Highlands, and on October 1st he anchored the Half
\
THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
Moou below the village of Sacklioes on the site of which \Peekskill
has been built. Here many of the Indians came aboard and mar-
veled at the size of the huge ship. Among the visitors was a chief
who persuaded Hudson to accompany him to his village.
"I sailed to the shore in one of their canoes," Hudson after-
wards wrote in describing his reception, "with an old man who
was the chief of their tribe, which consisted of forty men and
seventeen women. There I saw them in a house well constructed
of oak bark, cylindrical in shape, with an arched roof, and it had
the appearance of being well built. It contained a great quantity
of maize and beans of last year's growth, while near the house
there lay, for the purpose of drying, enough to load three ships,
besides what was growing in the fields. On our coming into the
house, two mats were spread out for us to sit upon, and imme-
diately some food was served in well carved red wooden bowls;
two men were also at once dispatched with bows and arrows in
quest of game, and they soon returned with a pair of pigeons which
they had killed. They likewise killed a fat dog which they hastily
skinned with shells they had got out of the water." Hudson failed
to state how he relished the dog.
When Hudson, on October 2d, passed the scene of his first
anchorage, he was amazed to see a large fleet of canoes, swarmed
with red-skinned warriors, put out from Shorackkappock, now
named Spuyten Duyvil Creek, and boldly advancing toward the
Half Moon evidently intent upon avenging the attempted kid-
napping of their tribesmen and the breaking of faith with them.
When they came within bow shot they showered a volley of arrows.
This was the signal for hostilities to begin. The leader of the
Half Moon quickly gave the order to fire. Bullets belched forth
from the vessel's side, killing a number of warriors and wounding
many ^lore. The Indians, astounded at the havoc wrought by
the white man's weapons, became demoralized, and leaping into
the water, swam frantically for shore. Clear of all danger, the
Half Moon now re-entered New York Bay.
But the Indians would not be so easily subdued. With re-
newed courage, and reinforced by several hundred, they gathered
at what is now known as Fort Washington Point and again at-
tacked the vessel as she was floating down the stream. A few
musket shots soon put them to flight with the loss of nine of their
warriors.
EARLY HISTORY
•1
There has been much discussion as to the origin of the name
of Spuyten Duyvil. It is one of those historical mysteries for
whose solution so many delightful theories have been advanced and
there is no likelihood of its ever being satisfactorily explained.
We learn from various deeds and documents of the Seven-
teenth Century that the Indian name for Spuyten Duyvil Creek
was Papm-inemo. The earliest reference to Spuyten Duyvil
under that name is found in a remonstrance by Adrien Van Der
Donck, grantee of Yonkers, which was presented to the directors
of the West India Company, on May 26, 1653. In this remon-
From An old Paint nig
Lydig House, Bronx Park
strance he recites that his grant included, besides the Yonkers
valley, a convenient valley nearby bordering on the hill behind
the Island of Manhattan at Paparinemo, called by the people
"Speijt den Duyvel." Riker quotes an old record, dated 1672,
which refers to "Spuyten Duyvil, alias the Fresh Spring." "Spit-
ting Devil," "Spouting Devil," "Spiking Devil," "Spikendevil,"
are a few of the ways in which the name occurs on ancient maps
and in old documents.
Many will no doubt recall Washington Irving's legend on the
origin of Spuyten Duyvil — how trumpter Anthony Van Corlaer
arrived at the creek one stormy day to summon the Dutch farmers
8 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
of the mainland to the defence of New Amsterdam, and found no
ferryman daring enough to venture across. "The wind was blowing
a perfect hurricane, which sent the waters swirling like a mael-
strom. For a short time Anthony vapored like an impatient ghost
upon the brink, and then bethinking himself of the urgency of his
errand, took a hearty embrace of his stone bottle, swore most
valorously that he would swim across 'in spite of the devil' {en
spijt den Duyvel), and daringly plunged into the stream. Luck-
less Anthony! Scarce had he been buifeted half way across the
stream, when he was observed to struggle violently as if battling
with the spirit of the waters — instinctively he put his trumpet to
his mouth, and giving a vehement blast, sank forever to the
bottom."
Altho this is entirely a work of the imagination, and has
no basis in fact, it seems as good a solution of the mystery as any
other offered.
Four years after the English navigator sailed up the Hudson,
one Adrien Block, while cruising up the Long Island Sound in
the first ship ever built by white men on Manhattan Island, landed
somewhere along the eastern shore of The Bronx; but nothing ever
developed from his visit.
Shortly after Hudson returned to Holland with the Half
Moon, a company of merchants in Amsterdam sent out
five vessels loaded with goods to be traded with the
Indians in America for furs. Among the skippers of this fleet
was Adrien Block, commanding a ship called the Tiger. The other
ships having gone to various parts of the new continent. Block,
who had visited Manhattan Island in 1610 or 1611, decided that
the lower end of the island was a good place to land and trade.
Some time during the latter part of 1613 the Tiger caught
fire, and was completely destroyed. In order to continue their
trading and exploration of the surrounding country, the Captain
and crew immediately started to build a new vessel. It may have
been that the necessary rigging and iron work for this new vessel
had been saved from the Tiger, for the work progressed so rapidly
that she was finished and launched early in the following spring.
The ship was called the Onrust ("Restless"), and was built
on the site of what is now Fraunce's Tavern. Not only was this
the first sailing vessel built on Manhattan Island, but it was the
third one constructed by white men on the American continent.
EARLY HISTORY 9
The first had been built a little more than one hundred years be-
fore by Spaniards in California, and the second, in 1608, by a party
of Englishmen on the Kennebec River.
The honor of being the first white settler to locate in The
Bronx belongs to Jonas Bronck, who came from Hoorn, Holland,
in July, 1639, with his friend Jochem Pietersen Kuyter, a Danish
capitalist.
The arrival of their ship, De Brant von T^'ogen ("The Fire
of Troy"), which they had chartered together at Amsterdam was
hailed by the colony as a great public good, and coming well rec-
ommended from the Fatherland, they experienced little difficulty
in obtaining land upon which to settle.
Kuyter settled on the Manhattan side of the Harlem River
upon a tract of nearly four hundred acres of fine farming land
of which he had obtained a grant from the East India Company.
The farm stretched along the Harlem River and ran south to West
One Hundred Twenty-seventh Street.
Bronck, however, crossed the Harlem River and settled in
what is known today as "Old Morrisania." Here he erected a stone
dwelling, a barn, several tobacco houses and two barracks for his
servants and farm hands, whom he had brought over with his
own family. Among these were Pieter Andriessen and Laurens
Duyts, fellow passengers to whom Bronck had advanced one hun-
dred and twenty-one florins to pay their board upon the ship and
who had been hired by Bronck to help clear the five hundred-acre
tract which he had purchased from the Indian sachems Ranachqua
and Tackamuck. This tract, according to old records, lay between
the Great Kill (Harlem River) and the Aquahung (Bronx River).
In return for their labor Andriessen and Duyts were to have the
privilege of planting tobacco and maize upon Bronck's land, but
only on condition that they would break up a certain quantity of
new land every two years for the planting of grain, and then the
spot which they had cultivated was to be returned to Bronck. In
this way the land was cultivated free of cost to the owner.
Bronck called his home Emmaus. It was situated near the
present Harlem River station of the New York, New Haven and
Hartford Railroad at One Hundred and Thirty-second Street. An
adjacent river (the Aquahung) became known as Bronck's (later
shortened to Bronx) River, and in recent times the name was ap-
plied to the whole Borough.
10 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
That Bronck was well pleased with the purchase of his prop-
erty is shown by a letter he penned to Pieter Van Alst, a relative
in the Old World, in which he speaks about his land in the most
glowing terms. "The invisible hand of the Almighty Father,"
he writes, "surely guided me to this beautiful country, a land
covered with virgin forest and unlimited opportunities. It is a
veritable paradise and needs but the industrious hand of man to
make it the finest and most beautiful region in all the world."
Could Bronck rise out of his grave today he would see how well
his prophecy has been fulfilled.
Bronck was evidently a man of culture and refinement. His
scholarly ability was displayed in the treaty of peace which he
drafted and which was signed in his house on March 28, 1642, by
the Dutch and by the Weckquaesgeek chiefs. This compact was
faithfully adhered to until his death in 1643. Bronck left a widow
and one son, Pieter Jonassen Bronck. The widow, Antonia Slag-
boom, married Arendt Van Corlear, Sheriff of Rensellaerswyck,
who sold Bronck's estate to Jacob Jans Stoll, and removed with
him to Albany, on the "Flatts." After Van Corlear's death his
widow lived in Schenectady.
Frank C. Bronck, of Amsterdam, N. Y., has in his possession
a copy of the inventory of Bronck's personal effects taken in May,
1643, and several other papers. R. Bronck Fish, an attorney in
Fultonville, N. Y., owns a silver cup which belonged to Jonas
Bronck.
There has been much discussion as to the genealogical origin
of Jonas Bronck. Many historians adhere to the belief that he
was Dutch, of Swedish extraction, probably from the fact that he
came to this country under the protection of the Dutch flag.
The "Magazine of American History," January, 1908, tells us
that Jonas Bronck "was one of those worthy but unfortunate Men-
nonites who were driven from their homes in Holland to Denmark
by religious persecution. He . . . gained rapid promotion in
the army of the King of Denmark, who was very tolerant towards
the sect known as Mennonites. He served as commander in the
East Indies until 1638, when, with others of the persecuted he set
sail for America, and his name first appears on the records the fol-
lowing year, when he received a large grant of land in Westchester
County from the Sachems of Ranachqua."
In the "Bronx Borough Record," December 20, 1902, Wm. R.
EARLY HISTORY 11
Bronk, of the seventh generation of that family, writes: "Of his
[Jonas Bronck's] history prior to 1638 little is definitely known.
It has been asserted that he was of Swedish or Danish ancestry,
but there is little or no direct proof of this. . . . The name
Bronck is a well-known Dutch name, and the probabilities all point
in the direction of Bronck's having been of Holland descent."
Riker in his History of Haarlem says that "Bronck was of
a family long distinguished in Sweden though he himself was
probably from Copenhagen where some of his family lived." The
writter is of the opinion that Bronck comes of Danish stock,
because of his intimate association with Kuyter and other Danes,
and the fact that the majority of the books in his library were
Danish.
The Rev. R. Anderson, pastor of the Danish Church of Our
Saviour, in Brooklyn, who has devoted much time to tracing the
genealogical tree of Jonas Bronck, is of the opinion that he was a
Dane and gives some plausible reasons for forming this belief.
"After the Reformation," says Mr. Anderson, "we find in
Denmark several priests of the name of Bronck. The name is
written Bronck, Brynck, Brunck, and sometimes Bronckel; but
Brunck is most common in Danish."
CHAPTER II
MORRISANIA
Lewis Morris
Colonial and Revolutionary Days — Story of the Public-Spirited and Patriotic
Morris Family — Lewis Morris, Signer of the Declaration of Independence,
Who Backed up His Signature by Joining the Army with His Three
Sons — Gouverneur Morris, Statesman and Diplomat — Land Marks in
Morrisania — Foundation of Village in 1848.
FOR a quarter of a century the tract of land upon
which Jonas Bronck had settled was owned at
different times by several of the Dutch pioneers
and traders. In 1668 it came into the possession
of Samuel Edsall, a beaver maker of New Amster-
dam. IJe held it for two years, then sold it on
August 10, 1670, to Colonel Lewis Morris and
Captain Richard Morris, both officers in Crom-
well's army, who found refuge in Barbados upon the restoration
of Charles II. The Morrises were of Welch descent, and their
patronym was derived from Maur Rys, or Rys the Great, which title
was conferred upon Rys, the companion of Strongbow, for valiant
service rendered in the latter's expedition against Ireland.
Lewis went to the West Indies, where he purchased a large
estate and became prominent in the political affairs of Barbados.
He was later joined by his younger brother, Richard, who married
there a wealthy lady named Sarah Pole, from whom he received
large sugar plantations.
Both brothers agreed to invest in land in New York, and in
1668 Richard and his wife removed to the Dutch Colony, where the
Captain purchased Broncksland from Samuel Edsall.
Captain Richard Morris and his wife both died in 1672,
leaving behind them an infant ' son named Lewis. His
uncle. Colonel Lewis Morris, then came from Barbados to New
York in 1673, and held the estate in trust for the child. He re-
sided in Morrisania, but he purchased some thirty-five hundred
acres of land in Monmouth County, New Jersey, upon which he
12
MORRISANIA 13
located iron mills. When the Dutch in 1673 were again masters
of New York, Colonel Lewis Morris was forced to surrender his
share of the Morrisania property to the victorious Hollanders on
the ground that he was an inhabitant of Barbados; but, upon
the recapture of New Amsterdam by the English in 1765, it was
restored to its rightful owner.
In 1676, Governor Andros granted to Colonel Morris a royal
patent to Broncksland and adjacent meadows to the extent of
about 1,920 acres, in consideration of which the Colonel was
required to pay to James the Duke of York an annuity of five
bushels of wheat. A deed confirming the grant was subsequently
presented to Colonel Lewis Morris by Shahash and five other Indian
sachems.
Upon the death of Colonel Morris in 1691, the property was
inherited by Lewis Morris, his nephew, who by a royal patent
issued on May 8, 1697, by Governor Fletcher in the name of Wil-
liam III, became the first lord of the manor of Morrisania.
Colonel Lewis Morris was a Quaker and he could not tolerate
what he termed his nephew's "many and great miscarryages"
toward him and his wife. He accused his nephew of "adhering
and advising with those of bad life and conversation." He con-
sequently made his "dearly beloved wife, Mary Morris," sole ex-
ecutrix of his last will and testament. But as the Colonel left
no issue, and as his wife died before him, the estate devolved
upon the disinherited nephew, Lewis Morris, Senior.
Like most youngsters, past and present, who in their early
youth give promise of becoming the most wicked of men, but dur-
ing their maturity turn out to be virtuous and upright, Lewis
Morris became a model man. He achieved the distinction of being
the first governor of New Jersey and the first native-born Chief
Justice of New York.
Chief Justice Morris upheld the rights of the people and
became the foe of tyrannical royal officials. In 1733 he rendered
a decision adverse to the interests of Governor Cosby. The
Governor accused the Chief Justice of having treated him "with
slight, rudeness, and impertinence."
Whereupon Morris replied :
"If judges are to be intimidated so as not to dare to give any opinion
but what is pleasing to a governor, and agreeable to his private view^s, the
people of this province — who are very much concerned both with respect to
14 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
their lives and fortunes in the freedom and independency of those who are
to judge them — may possibly not think themselves so secure in either of them
as the laws and his Majesty intend they should be. . . , As to my in-
tegrity, I have given you no occasion to call it in question. I have been in this
office about twenty years. My hands were never soiled by a bribe; nor am I con-
scious to myself, that power or poverty hath been able to induce me to be par-
tial in the favor of either of them; and as I have no reason to expect any
favor of you, so I am neither afraid nor ashamed to stand the test of the
strictest inquiry you can make concerning my conduct. I have served the
public faithfully, according to the best of my knowledge; and I dare, and do,
appeal to it for my justification."
For this act of "impertinence," however, he was dismissed
from the bench by Governor Cosby, and was replaced by the aris-
tocratic royalist, James De Lancey. Morris then ran for repre-
sentative in the Assembly in opposition to William Forster, who
was supported by the Governor. Despite Cosby's unfair tactics
of depriving the Quakers of their vote, Morris was elected by a
majority of eighty, thus indicating that the people were on his side.
When Lewis Morris, Second, called Senior, died in 1746 at
the age of seventy-three, the estate was divided into two portions,
the Mill Brook having served as the dividing line. The section
east of the Mill Brook was given over to his son, Lewis, Third,
called Junior; while the remainder of the manor was bequeathed
to his wife, Isabella Graham. Upon the death of the latter, Lewis
Morris, Junior, who served as a judge in several courts, and as
representative of Westchester County in the New York Legisla-
ture, came into possession of the entire estate.
Judge Lewis Morris had three sons by his first wife, Elizabeth
Staats: namely, Lewis, called the Signer; Staats Long, a general
in the British army, and the Honorable Richard Morris ; and by
his second wife, Sarah Gouverneur, he had one son, the Honorable
Gouverneur Morris, and four daughters.
Upon the death of Judge Lewis Morris, Junior, in 1762, the
estate was again divided into two portions. The section west of
the Mill Brook was bequeathed to Lewis Morris, who was later
a signer of that great human document — the Declaration of In-
dependence,— and the easterly portion descended to Staats Long
Morris, afterwards a Lieutenant General in the British army
and a Governor of Quebec. Upon the removal of Staats Long
Morris to Canada, his portion of the patrimony was purchased in
1786 by the Honorable Gouverneur Morris,- the distinguished
MORRISANIA IS
patriot and statesman, the half-brother of Staats Long and Lewis
Morris.
General Lewis Morris, the last manor-lord of Morrisania,
was born at Old Morrisania in 1726. He was graduated from
Yale College in 1746. During the period prior to the Revolution
much of his time was passed in the pursuit of agriculture on his
estate at Morrisania, where he surrounded himself with the ele-
gance and luxury of the period. At the beginning of the Revolu-
tion he espoused the Whig cause and early in the war was made a
Brigadier-General in the Continental army. In 1775 he was
elected a member of the Continental Congress from New York,
and was sent to Pittsburgh to secure the allegiance of the Indians
to the cause of the colonists. He was in attendance at the meeting
of the Colonial Congress of the Province of New York at White
Plains, July 9, 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was
ratified by that body. Thruout Washington's Westchester
County campaign, and at the battle of White Plains (October 28,
1776) he was in active service. He also took an important part
in the succeeding winter campaign in New Jersey, being present
at the battles of Trenton and Princeton. His three eldest sons were
enlisted in the American army at the same time.
General Morris died in 1798. The manor-house of Lewis
Morris, known as "Christ's Hotel," stood west of Brook Avenue
near the Mill Brook, until it was torn down two decades ago by
the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad, which had
acquired the property.
Gouverneur Morris, the most illustrious of the Morris family,
was born at Morrisania, January 31, 1752. In accordance with the
wish of Lewis Morris, Junior, as expressed in his will, dated No-
vember 19, 1760, namely, that "his son Gouverneur Morris may
have the best education that is to be had in England or America,"
Gouverneur was sent to King's College (now Columbia) from
which he was graduated in 1768, at the age of sixteen. His ora-
tion on Commencement Day won great applause and a silver
medal.
In 1775 he was a delegate to the Provincial Congress of New
York, and on July 8th of that year a member of the Committee
of Public Safety of Westchester County. He was one of the com-
mittee appointed to draft the Constitution of the State of New
York, which was adopted in 1777.
16
THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
He was but twenty-seven years of age when he was appointed
by Congress as one of a committee of five to assist General Wash-
ington in the reorganization of the army. The committee spent
three months with the Commander-in-Chief at Valley Forge, and
as a result many reforms were instituted. It was shortly after
this, in May, 1780, that he was thrown from his carriage, and
his left leg so badly maimed that it had to be amputated. He was
GOUVERNEUR MORRIS MANSION
a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1787, which framed
the Constitution of the United States, and to him was assigned the
literary revision of that masterful instrument. During the French
hostilities he was American Minister to France, and he remained
in Paris during the whole period of the Reign of Terror.
In 1799 he was chosen Senator from New York and served
until 1803. He was closely associated with Governor George
Clinton in the building of the Erie Canal, and was an intimate
MORRISANIA
17
friend of General Alexander Hamilton. Gouverneur Morris was
with the great statesman during his last moments, and he delivered
his funeral oration. In 1809, at the age of fifty-seven, he married
Anne Gary Randolph, a sister of John Randolph of Roanoke, and
a lineal descendant of Pocahontas. The Gouverneur Morris man-
sion, built from the design of a French chateau, stood nearly
opposite Hell Gate, and east of what is now St. Ann's Avenue.
It was here that he entertained Washington and numerous French
Wm. H. Morris Mansion
notables, including Louis Philippe, afterward King of the French.
Here, too, Lafayette was entertained in 1824 by his son, Gouvern-
eur Morris, Junior. Until this historic manor-house was razed a
few years ago to make room for the terminal of the New York, New
Haven and Hartford Railroad, its wide stairway bore marks that
were said to have been made by Gouverneur Morris's wooden leg
as he hobbled to bed.
Below One Hundred and Sixty-seventh Street, west of Third
Avenue, stands the old stone Gate House. This is the oldest
18
THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
building in Morrisania and the only one that antidates the forma-
tion of the village of Morrisania in 1848.
The Wm. H. Morris mansion at One Hundred and Sixty-fifth
Street, Findlay and Teller Avenues, was built in 1816, and was
recently purchased by the Daughters of Jacob; it is to be re-
modeled for a synagog.
Just west of the old mansion stands a quaint stone structure
Outhouse, Morris Farm
dating from 1792. It was probably an outhouse of the old farm.
Upon the death of Gouverneur Morris in 1816, and of his
wife in 1837, the property east of Mill Brook passed into the hands
of their son, Gouverneur Morris, Esq., the pioneer railroad builder.
In memory of his mother, Anne Gary Randolph, he erected in the
year 1841, at St. Ann's Avenue and East One Hundred and Fortieth
Street, a church known since as St. Ann's Episcopal Ghurch. In
the vaults beneath the old church and adjacent thereto, lie interred
the remains of the members of this illustrious family whose mag-
MORRISANIA 19
nanimous patriotic services for our country have caused their
names to be placed high on the American Roll of Honor.
On a tablet in the recess chancel is inscribed the following:
"The Relics of the Honorable Gouverneur Morris, A name illustrious
in his country's annals, were laid by his faithful widow."
A tablet on the right side of the chancel bears the following
inscription :
Gouverneur Morris,
born February 9, 1813,
died August 20, 1888,
Founder of this Parish,
To which he gave church and lands for the
glory of God and in memory of his mother.
Morrisania was the scene of many a skirmish during the
Revolutionary War. General William Heath, who was in command
•of a picket stationed in that section, relates in his Memoirs an
interesting incident that occurred there. A chain of sentinels
had been planted near Bronx Kills, the water passage between
Morrisania and Montresor's (now Randall's) Island. The sen-
tinels on the American side had been ordered not to fire at the sen-
tinels on the British side unless the latter began ; but the latter
were so fond of beginning that shots were frequently exchanged.
During an interchange of shots a British officer was wounded.
An officer with a flag soon came down the creek and informed the
Americans that if their sentinels fired any more the commanding
officer of the island would cannonade Colonel Morris's house, in
which the officers of the picket were quartered. General Heath
sent back the reply that "the American sentinels were instructed
not to fire unless they were fired on ; that such was their conduct,
and as to cannonading Colonel Morris's house, they could act their
pleasure."
For a time all firing ceased until a raw Scotch sentinel was
planted who soon discharged his musket at an American sentinel.
The shots were instantly returned; whereupon a British officer
called to the American officers observing that he thought there
was to be no more firing between the sentinels. When informed
that the offender was on his side, he immediately apologized and
relieved the Scotchman. Thereafter both sides were so civil that
when a British sentinel sent over to the Americans for a chew of
20 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
tobacco, he got a thick quid, and, after taking his bite, he sent the
remainder back.
The little semi-circular redoubt still stands in the southeast
corner of Woodlawn Cemetery, and is pointed out as having been
erected under the personal direction of General Heath. Its guns
once commanded the crossing over the Bronx River at Williams's
Bridge where the original Boston Post Road, laid out in 1672,
wound up from King's Bridge and extended on thru Eastchester
and New Rochelle, and so on to Boston.
Major Henly, a promising young officer of General Heath's
staff, lost his life in an attack on the British garrison on Mont-
resor's Island, September 24, 1776. Colonel Jackson, the com-
mander of the party, led the way in his boat, under cover of dark-
ness, not heeding the firing of the pickets. The officers and their
men jumped ashore and rushed upon the camp; but, overpowered
by superior numbers, they were obliged to retreat to their boats.
The Americans lost twenty-tw^o men, including Major Henly. The
attack failed because the officers of the remaining boats did not
follow the boat of their commander. For this cowardice, they
were afterwards court-martialled and cashiered.
Pending its decision during the session of 1790 as to the loca-
tion of a permanent seat of government, Congress received a
petition headed by the signature of Gouverneur Morris, which
strongly urged the selection of Morrisania as the national capital.
Many excellent reasons were submitted for the adoption of this^
site — the well-drained condition of the land, and consequent free-
dom from swamps; and the proximity to so great an industrial
and political center as New York. But the proposal at once aroused
all the political prejudices and petty jealousies of various sections
of the country. In order to quiet this feeling and restore har-
mony thruout the land, Philadelphia was picked as a compro-
mise, since it was thought that the selection of this site would
cause least friction.
Various efforts were made to induce people to settle in The
Bronx. In 1841, Jordan L. Mott, a pioneer from Manhattan,
bought a small tract of land, bounded by Third Avenue, One
Hundred and Thirty-fourth Street and the Harlem River. Here
he erected a foundry and built an attractive residence. He then
extended his possessions and encouraged others to settle there.
He called the section owned by him Mott Haven, and the canal
/
MORRISANIA 21
extending from the Harlem River to One Hundred and Thirty-
eighth Street, commenced by him in 1850, the Mott Haven Canal.
It was not until 1848, however, that any concerted effort was
made to colonize The Bronx. A number of citizens, chiefly me-
chanics and laborers, had met at various times to discuss the
advisability of building homes of their own on land within com-
muting distance of the city and possessing at the same time the
advantages offered by the country. It was also figured that
the children would derive incalculable benefit from the pure air
and the quiet healthful environment so woefully lacking in the
city.
Tho the project met with ridicule from the skeptical and
timid, the enthusiasm of the leaders of the movement did not
wane. Following the third meeting, a committee of three, consist-
ing of Jordan L. Mott, Charles W. Haughton, and Nicholas Mc-
Graw, was selected to act merely as purchasing agents of the
would-be settlers.
After a long search, it was found that the Gouverneur Morris
property, embracing two hundred acres of well-drained land, was
the most suitable for their purpose. The purchase price was
$37,622 — or about $173 an acre. When the avenues and streets
were laid out, there were 167 acres for development.
Within two years the land was clear of debt and its name was
changed from New Village to Morrisania, in honor of its former
landlord. The total population of this village in 1850 was 961
persons in 149 dwellings. Between 1856 and 1868 no less than
eighteen distinct communities, including Mott H& en. Port Morris,
East and West Morrisania, Eltona, Woodstock, Bensonia, High-
bridgeville, Claremont, Belmont, Grovehill, and Melrose grew up
around Morrisania, and were incorporated with it into one
village.
One of the curiosities of Morrisania was the "Huckleberry
Road" with its bob-tail cars. Old residents never tire of relating
some of the peculiar experiences they went thru when this
ancient horse-car line was in operation. It is said that whenever
the driver hit up the horses to urge them on to greater speed, the
car would jump the track; whereupon the conductor would request
the gentlemen to alight and help lift the car back upon the tracks.
The stoppages were so frequent that the passengers found ample
time to pick huckleberries along the road.
22 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
Prior to the advent of horse cars, a stage coach would carry
passengers to the Harlem Bridge, where they could continue down-
town by means of either the Third Avenue horse cars or the
steamboat.
Today the brilliantly lighted cars of the Union Railroad Com-
pany, whose splendid trolley system may well stand as a model
for other and less enterprising communities, has been one of the
chief factors in the upbuilding of The Bronx.
CHAPTER III
DEVELOPMENT OF THE BRONX
What Organized and Intelligent Effort has Accomplished — The Rush of
Capital and Steady Flow of Population.
jRIOR to its annexation to New York City in 1874, the
section which then comprised The Bronx lying west
of the Bronx River, covered an area of but 12,317 acres
and consisted of fifty-two sparsely settled villages and
hamlets with an approximate population of 33,000. In
1895, the territory east of the Bronx River, comprising 14,500 acres
was annexed to the Borough, making a total of 26,817 acres in all,
or 42 square miles of territory.
Since the Borough's annexation to New York City in 1874,
when it became familiarly known as the "North Side," its growth
has been marvelous. From a population of 33,000 it grew to 430,-
980 in 1910, as shown by the latest census. This is an increase of
more than 1,300 per cent in thirty-six years — a record probably
never equalled in the history of the world.
Since the Federal census was taken in 1910 the Health De-
partment estimated that the population of The Bronx by the middle
of this year (1913) would be 583,981. If the same increase con-
tinues for the next seven years — and it is safe to say it will — The
Bronx should have by 1920 a population of at least a million.
The following table, based on the Federal census of 1910, has
been compiled by a well-known statistician. It shows the estimated
population of The Bronx up to and including the year 1920.
Year Bronx
1910 430,980
1911 483,000
1912 531,000
1913 590,000
1914 640,000
1915 690,000
1916 740,000
1917 790,000
23
24 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
1918 840,000
1919 890,000
1920 950,000
In compiling these figures, a thoro study of the conditions
likely to be affected by the new rapid transit routes was carefully
considered. While it is generally conceded that railroads, more
than any other combination of forces, are responsible for the civil-
ization and growth of a country, experience has proved that its
success is not always assured unless it has the encouragement and
aid of an efficient and wide-awake administration. And in this
respect The Bronx has been most fortunate; for there can be no
question that the rapid development and present prosperity of
the Borough is the direct consequence of former Borough President
Haffen's able and efficient administration and wisely directed
efforts, as well as of the present Borough President, Cyrus C.
Miller's intelligent management of local affairs.
The North Side Board of Trade and the Taxpayers' Alliance
of the Borough of The Bronx, the latter having thirty-seven local
associations affiliated with it, have both taken a lively interest in
the welfare of the Borough, and thru their united efforts many
public improvements have been pushed to a successful issue.
The North Side Board of Trade was organized March 6, 1894.
At the time of its formation the population of The Bronx was
about 90,000, but its influence was soon manifested and it has
since been an important factor in the commercial development of
The Bronx. With the consolidation in the Greater City, its growth
has been steady and continuous, and today, it is one of the most
influential bodies in the upper section of Greater New York. Its
membership numbers more than five hundred men who represent
the very heart of the business life of the great North Side. The
Board has helped to obtain many public improvements for the
people of this Borough; nothing escapes their vigilance where
the public welfare is concerned. On October 28, 1911, the corner-
stone of the new North Side Board of Trade building, situated
at Third and Lincoln Avenues and East One Hundred and Thirty-
seventh Street, was laid by the late Mayor Gaynor. This is the
most magnificent building in the Borough. The officers are:
William W. Niles, President.
Charles W. Bogart, Treasurer.
Charles E. Reid, Secretary.
DEVELOPiMENT OF THE BRONX 25
Vice Presidents: Ernest Hall, Joseph A. Goulden, Adolph G.
Hupfel, John J. Amory, Charles W. Bogart, John Claflin, Henry
Lewis Morris, Louis F. Haffen, Charles A. Berrian, J. Homer
Hildreth.
Board of Directors : Edward B. Boynton, Thomas J. Quinn,
J. Clarence Davies, John De Hart, Herbert A. Knox, Charles E.
Reid, Dr. William A. Boyd, Michael J. Sullivan, Richard W. Law-
rence, Louis F. Haffen, Matthew Anderson, Israel C. Jones, Fred
W, Hottenroth, Louis F. Kuntz, Martin Walter, J. Harris Jones,
Douglas Mathewson, Thomas J. Higgins, Arthur Knox, Cornelius
J. Earley, John F, Steeves, Olin J. Stephens, James L. Wells, Ernest
Hall, Charles W. Bogart, Joseph A. Goulden, William W. Niles,
J. Homer Hildreth, William S. Germain, Theodore Trimmer.
The Taxpayers' Alliance was founded in 1894, shortly after
the establishment of local self-government in The Bronx, and owes
its formation to the Twenty-third Ward Property Owners' Asso-
ciation, now known as the "Bronx County Property Owners'
Association." This worthy body believed that by cooperating with
other local improvement associations, and by uniting, it would
accomplish more good for the uplifting of The Bronx than by
working independently. Thru the earnest efforts of Colonel
Goulden, a meeting was arranged at the Fordham Club, on the
evening of December 15, 1894, to which representatives from all
the other local associations were invited. The consolidation plan
met with instant favor, and as a result the Taxpayers' Alliance
of the Borough of The Bronx was launched, with Colonel Goulden
as its first president. *
The six original associations forming this alliance were:
The Twenty-third Ward Property Owners' Association^
The Fordham Club.
West Farms Local Improvement Association.
Kingsbridge Property Owners' Association.
Property Owners' Association Vyse Estate and vicinity.
The Fox Estate Property Owners' Association.
The combined membership of these six organizations num-
bered about 600. Today the Alliance has thirty-seven local asso-
ciations affiliated with it, and a membership of more than 8,000.
The list of the associations is made up as follows :
Twenty-third Ward Taxpayers' Association.
Fordham Club.
26 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
Belmont Association.
Unionport Association.
West Morrisania Club.
West Farms Association.
Woodlawn Association.
Westchester Association.
Bedford Park Association.
City Island Association.
Van Nest Association.
Westchester Improvement Company.
Borough Club.
Casanova Association.
Springhurst Association.
Fordham Association.
Morris Heights Association.
Tremont Association.
Williamsbridge Improvement Association.
Wakefield Association.
Vyse Estate Association.
Mapes Estate Association.
East Morrisania Property Owners' Association.
East Tremont Taxpayers' Association.
Kingsbridge Association.
Throgg's Neck Association.
Protective Association, Mapes Estate.
Riverside Association.
Spuyten Duyvil Association.
Fox Estate and Vicinity Association.
Claremont Heights Property Owners' Association.
City Island Board of Trade.
Highbridge Taxpayers' Association.
Tax and Rentpayers' Alliance of Wakefield.
Mosholu Parkway North Association.
Van Cortlandt Association.
The officers of the Taxpayers' Alliance are :
President, George M. S. Schulz.
Vice Presidents: Harry Robitzek, James B. Powers, William
W. Niles, A. C. Hottenroth, Charles W. Bogart, Louis F. Haffen,
Col. Jos. A. Goulden, William S. Germain, Max Just.
Treasurer, Carl W. Schmidtke.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE BRONX 27
Secretary, Philip J. McKinley.
That the Taxpayers' Alliance has been of incalculable benefit
to the citizens of The Bronx no one will deny. There has not
been a public improvement in which the hand of the Alliance
cannot be traced. From its very inception, the chief aim of the
organization has been to further the general interest and promote
the welfare of the Borough, and to attain the greatest good for the
greatest number.
^' The Association of the Bar of the County of Bronx, Inc., is
the only lawyers' organization in the new county. It was incorpo-
rated in 1902 as the Association of the Bar of the Borough of
the Bronx in the City of New York, the name was changed in
February, 1913.
"' It was a committee of the Association that drafted the first
proposed Bronx County Act back in 1904. Since then this body
has steadily kept in the fighting line. When the present act became
a law in 1912, a committee of seven was delegated for the inevitable
legal struggle to maintain the constitutionality of the legislation.
The Association, thru its committee, was the sole advocate of
the entire act before the courts. When the decision went contrary,
the question was speeded to the Court of Appeals. 'There the brief
filed on behalf of the Association was largely embodied in the
opinion that preserved Bronx County.
The membership is 150 and increasing. Any lawyer in good
standing, residing or practising in the City of New York, is eligible
for membership. Admission fee and dues are moderate. Advan-
tages off"ered are many, including the use of a large law library
in the comfortable headquarters at 1187 Washington Avenue. A
regular meeting is held the second Friday evening of the month,
at which there is discussion and action on matters of importance
to the profession and the county. Prominent men frequently at-
tend and deliver addresses. Active officials and committees keep
the general spirit keyed high.
The former presidents are W. Stebbins Smith, J. Homer Hil-
dreth, Arthur C. Butts, Douglas Mathewson, and Charles P. Hallock.
The officers are:
President : Louis 0. Van Doren.
Vice Presidents : Maurice S. Cohen and John Davis.
Secretary: J. Philip Van Kirk.
Treasurer: Arthur L. Howe.
28
THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
Chairman of Executive Committee : Henry K. Davis.
Looking back a quarter of a century, and comparing conditions
then with those of today, we cannot help but marvel at the re-
markable growth of the Borough in commerce, population and
achievement during that short period. From what was formerly
a slow, slumbering unprogressive community, there has sprung
Home Street, Looking East from Union Avenue in 1883
up a great, vigorous and flourishing cosmopolitan community,
which today, if it were a separate and distinct city, would rank in
population as the seventh city in the United States, and the third
in the State of New York.
What may be heralded as the birth of the new Bronx began
in 1895, when the maps of the streets and highways west of the
Bronx River were completed. The Bronx at that time contained
about 100,000 inhabitants. In five years the population doubled.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE BRONX 29
the census report of 1900 showing that there were 200,507 persons
residing in the Borough. This gain, however enormous, but faintly
foreshadowed what was to come, when, in the next decade — the
period of 1900-1909 — was disclosed an increase of 230,473 in-
habitants. Thus The Bronx had more than quadrupled its popula-
tion in less than the number of years allotted to a generation. This
period of 1900-1909 has been in every respect one of unparalleled
progress and prosperity. It is a history crowned with auspicious
events, such as the opening of the subway, building of tunnels,
construction of bridges over the Harlem and other waterways, and
City Borough undertakings of the first rank. The projected
Broadway-Lexington Avenue Subway will undoubtedly cause the
denizens of congested Manhattan to migrate to the more spacious
and comfortable Bronx.
In building. The Bronx has made greater progress than any
other community in the country, except, perhaps, Seattle. In
1911, this Borough was the third greatest building community in
the United States, Manhattan ranking first and Chicago second.
From 1881 to 1910, there have been $360,000,000 invested in
Bronx building operations, and from 1881 to 1890, $27,000,000
were expended; $93,000,000 in the period from 1891 to 1900, and
$240,000,000 from 1901 to 1910. The outlay for 1911 was $22,-
837,060, and that of 1912, $36,049,870.
While the building record last year was of unusual propor-
tions, experts assert their belief that more buildings will be erected
in The Bronx this coming year than ever before. From January
1 to March 18, 1913, plans for 204 new buildings, at a cost of
$5,624,416, and alterations on 392, at a cost of $244,467, have
been filed.
The assessed valuation of the taxable real estate in the Borough
has also shown tremendous strides. In round numbers the figures
are as follows: In 1880, $23,000,000; in 1890, $45,000,000; in 1900,
$123,000,000; in 1910, $494,000,000; in 1911, $605,000,000; and
in 1912, $616,486,898.
CHAPTER IV
A CITY WITHIN A CITY
How the Child Grew up a Giant — The Past Speaks in Thunder Tones of the
Prosperity Advancing Years Bring to the Home, the Merchant and the
Manufacturer — What Rapid Transit Stands for in the Growth of a
Metropolis.
A.RVELOUS as has been the growth of The Bronx in
the last decade, it is very little compared to what
the near future has in store, awaiting the comple-
tion of new subways and rapid transit lines. With
better transit facilities, territory in outlying sec-
tions, heretofore inaccessible, will be at the disposal of
men of moderate means who will build homes which may be
easily reached from their places of business in the metropolis.
New York City is daily becoming more congested and the overflow
of population must inevitably find its way to nearby suburbs. It
is illy a question of a few years when the entire lower section of
Manhattan will be devoted exclusively to business.
That the Borough of The Bronx will draw the greater share
of this influx, needs no prophet to foretell. The close proximity
of The Bronx to Manhattan, and the many substantial bridges
which span the Harlem River and practically extend the streets of
Manhattan into The Bronx, give it decided advantages over the
other boroughs. Moreover, it is admirably situated; it covers an
area double that of Manhattan; and it needs but the magic touch
of better transportation facilities to make it the Empire City of the
future. This is no idle boast, for The Bronx is on the brink of
another evolution, and history is sure to repeat itself. Few
dreamed thirty years ago that the region north of the Harlem
River, known in the earlier days as the "Annexed District," would
ever be the giant city it is today. And it will continue to exceed
the expectations of even the flightiest prognosticators, as it is at
present only at the beginning of its greatness.
Men of capital and keen business foresight who have made
a study of realty conditions say that there has never been a more
30
A CITY WITHIN A CITY
31
opportune time to buy real estate in The Bronx than the present;
particularly now that the routes of the new subway and rapid
transit lines have been definitely settled. Ground has already been
broken by the city for its Lexington Avenue route, which when
completed, will tap a territory unequaled in beauty and in salutary
and sanitary conditions. Nothing but the upheaval of the conti-
nent or other remote catastrophe which no man can foresee can
check the stupendous improvements planned for the next decade.
i
^
i
^ ^
^^i ^
F^*-*v ,-^^
iiii
1^
l^,**-*^.-
"^ ■
Old Vyse Mansion
Let us for a moment glance into the future and see what
wonderful transformation is to take place in The Bronx during
the intervening period. What a wonderful vision we behold!
Thruout the Borough, from the Harlem River on the south to
the city line on the north, the Sound on the east, and the Hudson
River on the west, we see a complete network of subways, elevated
and surface roads, which spread out like the all-embracing arteries
of the body.
The countless acres of unimproved property which for years-
32 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
lay dormant in the outlying districts are mapped out into tree-lined
streets and avenues. Thousands of cozy and attractive little homes,
which rent at low figures, are now occupied by men of moderate
means, whose wish it is to live in a quiet, select neighborhood
where the children may enjoy the blessings of pure air, good schools
and delightful parks and playgrounds.
The forty miles of navigable water front are filled with pleas-
ure and merchant craft of all tonnage — a great boon to both the
manufacturer and the consumer, for they can receive and ship
their products, either crude or manufactured, by either rail or
water, with diminished cost of handling, and with increased profits
to both. Electricity has banished smoke from the city and the
great towers of the central town and college hall dazzle in the
sunlight. There is a constant flutter in the air of the aeroplanes
and airships carrying passengers and mail. All about us are
bewildering changes. Industry and transportation have been revo-
lutionized ; and progress, peace and contentment reign everywhere.
Does not this vision of future development inspire enthusiasm,
devotion and patriotism in the citizen of the Borough of The
Bronx?
That The Bronx has grown beyond all precedent, either in
this State or elsewhere, during the sixteen years since its con-
solidation, needs no further comment. Eleven years hence, it will
rank with the sixteen world cities having a population of a million
or over.
•' Up to April 19, 1912, The Bronx was the only one of the five
boroughs comprising the City of New York that was not a separate
and distinct county. On that date an act was passed in the Legis-
lature creating the County of Bronx, subject to a referendum to
the voters of the Borough. The question "Shall the territory within
the Borough of The Bronx be erected into the County of Bronx?"
was accordingly submitted to the voters at the general election in
November, 1912, and a majority of the votes cast were in favor of
the creation of the county.
The constitutionality of the act was questioned on the grounds
that the Legislature had no power to submit the question to the
voters, since New York State being a representative democracy,
the people of the State act thru their representatives in the Leg-
islature; and secondly, that the question should have been sub-
mitted to the voters of the entire County of New York, instead of
A CITY WITHIN A CITY 33
only to the voters of the Borough of The Bronx. The act was
declared unconstitutional by the Appellate Divisions of the Su-
preme Court of the State of New York, but the decision was re-
versed, on March 21, 1913, by the Court of Appeals. '^
In an administrative way, the creation of the County of Bronx
means, that The Bronx will have its own courts; its own offices
for recording deeds, mortgages, and other papers affecting real
and personal property; its own offices where wills of its resid'ents
can be probated; its own Sheriff's and County Clerk's offices.
The offices filled under the Bronx County Act at the last
election were: Borough President, Douglas Mathewson; County
Judge, L. G. Gibbs, for a term of six years ; Surrogate, G. M. Schulz,
six years; District Attorney, Francis Martin, four years; Sheriff,
J. F. O'Brien, four years; County clerk, J. V. Ganley, four years;
and Register, Edward Polak, four years. The salary of each of
these is $10,000. There will be a Commissioner of Jurors, at a sal-
ary of $5,000 a year, and a Public Administrator, at $4,000 a year.
The construction of the New York, Westchester and Boston
Railway, which penetrates the heart of the East Bronx, is the first
step toward solving the local transit problem. By the opening
of this four-track rapid transit line, 5,300 acres of practically
undeveloped territory, lying north of Bronx Park and west of
Pelham Bay Park and east of Van Cortlandt, which had absolutely
no railroad nor rapid transit facilities for passenger traffic, have
been made available for residential and manufacturing purposes.
The system begins at Lincoln Avenue, between One Hundred
Thirty-second Street and tracks of the New York, New Haven and
Hartford Railroad, where it connects with the Second and Third
Avenue Elevated Railways.
After leaving the Harlem River, the stations along the line
are located at Port Morris, Casanova, Hunt's Point, Westchester
Avenue, One Hundred Eightieth Street, Morris Park, Pelham
Parkway, Gun Hill Road, Baychester Avenue and Dyre Avenue,
which is the last station within the city limits and the end of the
five-cent-fare zone. Mount Vernon has five stations. At Columbus
Avenue Junction, a branch diverges from the main line, and pass-
ing thru the easterly end of Mount Vernon, runs thru Wykagyl
in the northern section of New Rochelle and thru the beautiful
Quaker Ridge section to Scarsdale and White Plains, the latter be-
ing the terminus of this part of the line.
34 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
The main line passes thru North Pelham, New Rochelle,
Larchmont, Mamaroneck, Harrison and Rye to Port Chester.
The New York, Westchester and Boston Railway is the most
modern and up-to-date system in railroad construction. From its
roadbed to its cars and stations, its architecture, workmanship and
materials are of the best and highest standard. The entire line is
equipped with all-steel motor passenger coaches, each having a
seating capacity for seventy-eight persons.
The new transfer station located at One Hundred Eightieth
Street and Morris Park Avenue will connect with the West Farms
Branch of the Interborough and will become the geographical
center for the distribution of city and suburban traffic. Provision
has also been made for the Pelham Bay section of the Lexington
Avenue Subway to connect at the Westchester Avenue station,
in The Bronx, thus affording an opportunity for the exchange of
passenger traffic for all points.
The station occupies a space approximately 550 feet in length
and 250 feet in width. Both entrances and exits are on the street
level, and the platforms for receiving and discharging passengers
are elevated above the street, conveniently arranged to expedite
the transfer from one system to another.
The ground floor has been so designed that a space is reserved
on each side of the entrance to the station from Morris Park Ave-
nue, which can be converted into retail stores on the design of an
arcade, should the development of the section in the vicinity of the
station later warrant such an improvement.
The Interborough Rapid Transit Company, upon the comple-
tion of the Broadway and West Farms extensions of the subway,
started the "Green Lines" of the new crosstown system for the
purpose of carrying passengers to the subways, and transferring
them to the trunk lines of the company, for a three-cent fare.
On the extreme westerly side of the Borough is the Main Line
and Putnam Division of the New York Central Railroad. These
lines accommodate residents of Highbridge, Morris Heights, Uni-
versity Heights, Kingsbridge, Spuyten Duyvil, Riverdale, Mount
Saint Vincent, Van Cortlandt and Mosholu.
The northwestern section of the Borough is also tapped by
the Broadway branch of the subway up to Van Cortlandt Park
(Two Hundred Forty-second Street and Broadway), where the
terminals of five trolley lines feed the branch from the north and
A CITY WITHIN A CITY
37
east. This branch is also used by the residents of Yonkers an^
the suburbs.
Jerome Avenue will be equipped with three extensions of the
Manhattan Elevated and Subway Systems. Under the hill just
south of Highbridge, on the banks of the Harlem River, a tunnel
will be bored to Jerome Avenue for the extensions of the Sixth
and Ninth Avenue Elevated Lines. These lines will meet the
Lexington Avenue Subway extension and all three will use the
•elevated structure up Jerome Avenue to Woodlawn.
At present the residents of the Williamsbridge, Wakefield,
Bronxwood Park, Westchester and other northern districts of The
Bronx, reach the West Farms terminal of the subway by trolley.
To eliminate the double fare and to provide better facilities for
the residents, the subway will be extended up White Plains Avenue
to Williamsbridge.
The new Broadway-Lexington Subway will aid materially the
development of The Bronx. Ground was broken in Manhattan
in November, 1911, and in The Bronx at Mott Avenue north of
East One Hundred Thirty-eighth Street, on December 7, 1911. The
subway, it is expected, will be in operation in three years. It is
to be built jointly by the City of New York and the Interborough
Rapid Transit Company, and is to be equipped by the company.
The line will start in lower Broadway and at Forty-second
Street it will swing into Lexington Avenue to East One Hundred
Thirty-fifth Street, The Bronx. At this point it will divide into
two branches : the River and Jerome Avenue branch and the South-
ern Boulevard and Westchester Avenue branch. The River and
Jerome Avenue line will be underground as far as River Avenue
and East One Hundred Fifty-seventh Street, from which point it
will be elevated to Woodlawn Road. The Southern Boulevard
and Westchester Avenue line will remain underground as far as
Whitlock Avenue south of Westchester Avenue, thence elevated to
Pelham Bay Park.
34
CHAPTER V
BIG INDUSTRIES
Where Men and Women Shop — The Facilities Offered by Traction Companies —
Proposed Improvements.
IKE all large cities, The Bronx has its business cen-
ters. It is in these shopping districts that property
shows the greatest increase in values, pays the best
rentals, provides the best investment, and is most in
demand. The junction of One Hundred Forty-ninth
Street and Third Avenue is, without doubt, the most im-
portant district of the most northern borough. Not only is it
the transfer point of the West Farms subway and elevated rail-
roads, but practically every trolley car operated in The Bronx
passes thru this point. It is also the recongized shopping dis-
trict of the Borough. Twenty-five years ago lots could be bought
here for $6,000; today they bring that much rental per annum.
Here are located department stores and other up-to-date business
establishments that compare favorably with the largest in Man-
hattan, and no less than five first-class playhouses bid for the
amusement seekers' patronage in this particular neighborhood.
Only a few years ago, theater-goers were obliged to ride
downtown in order to attend a high-class production. It was
generally accepted that no first-class theater could be made to
pay in The Bronx. How far this belief was from fact may be
judged by the success our theatrical enterprises have achieved.
During the last five years more than $3,000,000 have been invested
in amusement structures here. There are one hundred and forty-
seven amusement places in the Borough, the list including every
variety from the home of serious drama to the "nickelet" and open-
air playhouse.
The next busiest center is in Tremont. This upper middle
section of the Borough has shown extraordinary development, and
there are now in course of construction one hundred and ten build-
ings, mainly apartment houses. Tremont Avenue, its main thoro-
36
BIG INDUSTRIES
37
fare, extends from Harlem River to the Long Island Sound,
and is destined to become one of the leading highways of the
Borough. The blocks from Webster to Third Avenues are given
over entirely to business establishments and are veritable bee
hives of activity. The third-tracking of the Second and Third
Avenue Elevated Railroads, and the branch connecting the New
York, Westchester & Boston Railroad will also materially help the
development of that entire section.
The third important thorofare is McKinley Square, located
at One Hundred Sixty-ninth Street and Boston Road.
The crosstown trolley line opened last year by the Union
Railroad Company, starting from Washington Bridge and running
Junction 149th Street and Third Avenue
east thru One Hundred Sixty-seventh and One Hundred Sixty-
ninth Streets to McKinley Square, thence to Westchester, and ter-
minating at Clason's Point, has given new impetus to values along
its entire route and has added to its population, as has also the new
One Hundred Forty-ninth Street crosstown line, recently opened.
Other centers of note are: the junction of One Hundred
Thirty-eighth Street and Willis Avenue ; Westchester, Prospect and
Longwood Avenues; Westchester Avenue of the Southern Boule-
vard and West Farms Road, and the intersection of Boston Road,
Tremont Avenue and West Farms Road. This last center is sure
to develop and it will even rival One Hundred Forty-ninth Street
as it is practically the geographical center of the Borough. Almost
all the important arteries running east and west, north and south
connect at this point.
38
THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
The Bronx is truly undergoing Aladdin-like changes. One has
but to step around the corner to note some transformation that has,
mushroom-like, made ics appearance overnight.
Take, for example, the section lying south of Westchester
rnm-^-
McKiNLEY Square — 169th Street and Boston Road
Avenue and the Southern Boulevard and see what miracles have
been wrought there. Less than half a dozen years ago this region
was but sparsely settled with a dozen or more neglected estates
scattered over its large territory ; today it is teeming with activity,
and the old mansions which were once the country seats of promi-
BIG INDUSTRIES
39
nent families have been swept away, and upon their sites have been
erected hundreds of handsome brick one-, two- and three-family
homes, and rows upon rows of beautiful apartment houses of the
most modern and high-class type.
The American Real Estate Company, Henry Morgenthau Com-
pany, Geo. F. Johnson, and James F. Meehan, four of the largest
operators and home-makers in the Bronx, purchased practically
all of the property embracing what is generally known as the
Hunt's Point section. For years after their purchases, this section
was in a state of chaos; rocks were being blasted, streets were
fe^.
Boston Road, South from IGGth Stkeet in 188:j
being laid out, sewers were being constructed and a total of
upwards of one million dollars were spent by these owners in
transforming this territory into city property. It is said that
the buildings which they erected in that section, can house more
than one hundred thousand persons.
A late purchase of the American Real Estate Company was
the ninety-three acres of the Watson estate lying just north of
Westchester Avenue and east of the Bronx River. The property
is located on high ground and contains about twelve hundred
city lots.
40 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
Other sections which are steadily growing and undergoing
transformation are the districts known as Bedford Park and Wood-
lawn Heights. The latter occupies a unique location, for while
it is within the city limits and enjoying all the improvements of
municipal ownership, it is still closely allied with Yonkers, so that
in a measure it might almost be classed with the latter. Topo-
graphically the ground lies high and the outlook in every direction
Forest Avenue, South from Home Street in 1883
is extensive. To the east is the valley of the Bronx River, while
to the north the land slopes gradually upward. To the south is
Woodlawn Cemetery and to the west Van Cortlandt Park. The
excellent service furnished by the New York and Harlem division
of the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad makes it easy
of access, and the trolley line running along McLean Avenue brings
Yonkers within a short riding distance. There is also a trolley
line on Webster Avenue parallel to the railroad tracks. This sec-
BIG INDUSTRIES 41
tion differs from the main thorofare, in that only one- and two-
family dwellings are being erected. The same conditions prevail
in the Bedford Park section.
Crossing over to the easterly section, we come to Throgg's
Neck, one of the most attractive shore fronts in The Bronx. There
is a great future before it, particularly if the proposed new subway
route, which, according to one plan, will have Pelham Park as a
terminal, will be carried to completion. One of the first improve-
ments planned, is a shore drive, one hundred feet wide, which will
skirt Throgg's Neck.
The water front of The Bronx, aggregating more than forty
miles of navigable waters, has added unlimited trade and commerce
to the Borough. Almost the entire territory from Highbridge to
Hunt's Point has been utilized by railroads, factories and other
industrial enterprises requiring shipping facilities along the water
front. The Bronx contains seven hundred factories, each large
enough to be subject to State supervision and inspection. They
give employment to at least thirty-five thousand people.
Among the numerous industries which have contributed
toward making The Bronx a manufacturing center of world-wide
renown, the manufacture of pianos and organs ranks among the
foremost in importance. No less than sixty factories are located
within the Borough, which turn out these musical instruments in
amazing quantities annually. These are shipped to all quarters
of the globe.
The mammoth plant of the American Bank Note Company
at Hunt's Point is another institution which employs an army of
over two thousand workers. For more than a century this com-
pany has been recognized by experts as the leading engraving and
printing concern in America, if not in the world. The choice of 'its
present site in the Hunt's Point section of The Bronx was the
result of a thoro canvas of all the available sections in Greater
New York. Another enormous plant is the De la Vargne Machine
Works at the foot of East One Hundred Thirty-eighth Street.
Other industries covering acres and doing a large business are
the Ward Bread Company, and the lumber, the coal and the brew-
ing companies.
A comparison of the business done during 1912 with that of
the previous year by some of the public service corporations will
42 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
give one an idea of the immense business transacted in the
Borough.
The New York Telephone Company, for example, which has
about $4,000,000 invested in The Bronx, increased its services
by installing 4,648 telephones during the past year. On January
1st, 1906, there were but 5,573 telephones in use in The Bronx,
while on February 28th, 1913 there were 26,622.
The New York Edison Company is also making large ex-
penditures in The Bronx for the development and improvement of
its facilities for furnishing both light and power. The increase in
its business during the past year was most remarkable. In 1911
it had 20,148 customers on its books and in 1912 they numbered
28,582.
The Bronx possesses the largest and most perfect plants for
the making of ice machines and gas engines. All the five com-
panies which supply gas in the Borough show marked increases in
the number of customers supplied during 1912. The Central Union
Gas Company alone entered over 7,000 new customers on their
books during the year, which brings their total to 87,000 customers.
The annual consumption of coal and the increase from year
to year is also a fair barometer of the business activity in The
Bronx. In 1912 it reached its record mark of 1,760,000 tons.
Another proof of the growth of the general retail business
activity in the Borough is the fact that the National Cash Register
Company sold over a thousand additional machines during the last
year.
By means of the Harlem River Ship Canal many of the new
products of the country are brought nearer to the Bronx Borough.
For the accommodation of business men, manufacturers and
merchants, financial institutions of every class, including a National
Bank with numerous branches of State Banks and Trust Com-
panies have been established at all convenient points. For the
thrifty there are saving banks. All of these institutions are well
managed and conducted on safe lines so as to command the full
confidence of their customers.
For the very immediate future the following improvements
have been contemplated which will add impetus to business growth :
Erection of a new station on the New York Central Railroad;
change from a two-track to a six-track system on the New York,
New Haven & Hartford Railroad from Harlem River to New
BIG INDUSTRIES 43
Rochelle; proposed New York and New Jersey bridge across the
Hudson at One Hundred Forty-ninth Street; the erection of a new
Federal building at One Hundred Forty-ninth Street and Mott
Avenue, which is to cost over half a million dollars, and is to in-
clude the Bronx Central Post Office, the Internal Revenue Bureau,
the Treasury and Commerce and Labor Departments; the build-
ing of a connecting railroad, connecting Long Island with the
Borough by a bridge; the erection of a direct east side subway;
the improvement of the splendid water front by increased dock
facilities; and the establishment of a public produce market.
The following waterway improvements are now under way
or planned : Deepening of Spuyten Duyvil Creek, Harlem River, and
Bronx Kills in connection with Barge Canal traffic; widening and
deepening of Bronx River and Westchester Creek; plan adopted
to make the Hutchinson River 80 to 900 feet wide.
Borough President Cyrus C. Miller proposes a plan for in-
dustrial development benefiting directly the area which may be
described roughly as lying south and east of a line beginning in
the South Bronx at Macomb's Park and running thence easterly
across One Hundred Sixty-first Street to Westchester Avenue;
thence easterly along Westchester Avenue along West Farms Road
and Boston Road to One Hundred Eightieth Street at the easterly
boundary of Bronx Park ; thence northerly along the eastern boun-
dary of Bronx Park to Bear Swamp Road; thence along Bear
Swamp Road to Morris Park Avenue to Stillwell Avenue to Bronx
and Pelham Parkway, and from this point east to Long Island
Sound.
This district comprises about one-third the area of The Bronx,
or about fourteen square miles. It is bordered on the south and
east by the Harlem River, Bronx Kills and Long Island Sound,
and intersected by Bronx River and Westchester Creek, which
run up into the mainland from the Sound. It has a water front
seventeen miles long with bays and indentations for the anchorage
of ships and the building of docks.
The prime necessity for the whole plan is an industrial rail-
way for freight around the south and east shores of The Bronx,
so as to connect all the railroads coming into The Bronx with the
dock system planned by Commissioner Tomkins, and by means of
spurs, with the factories to be built in the territory described.
This will make it possible for a loaded freight car to come
44 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
into The Bronx on any railroad or steamship pier or dock, or to
any factory or warehouse that is connected with the railway by
a spur.
The Borough President has directed his engineers to draw
up tentative plans for the Industrial Railway and has interested
men of capital in the plan. One step in this development has been
made by the Ryawa Realty Company, which has begun a $20,-
000,000 development at the mouth of the Bronx River, similar to
the Bush Terminal stores in Brooklyn.
Part ot the plan is to have a Union Terminal Market on the
line of the Industrial Railway, where food products may be carried
by all the railroads and steamships coming to The Bronx and dis-
tributed directly and cheaply to the retail dealers of the Borough.
CHAPTER VI
THE STORY OF GREAT BRIDGES
The Water Front That Invites Big Ships from Over the Seven Seas — Early
Highways.
ILLIONS of dollars have been spent by the Govern-
ment in deepening and widening the channels of
waterways, and more money is constantly being ex-
pended on improvements. The crowding of com-
merce and the ever growing demand for more
docking space in Manhattan will eventually force the city
to build substantial wharves and piers along the matchless
water front. The opening of the Erie Canal and the Harlem Ship
Canal has brought The Bronx and the maritime states of New
England into direct water communication with the Great Lakes
of the Northwest, and it is only a question of time when the ocean
greyhounds will be docking at Port Morris, at which point the
East River is deepest. This will save 300 miles of water route,
as it will enable steamers to come direct thru Long Island Sound,
instead of the Narrows and the Lower Bay.
Our forefathers, as far back as 1693, saw the necessity of a
bridge across the Harlem River. Since then nearly every leading
thorofare of Manhattan has been extended into The Bronx by
means of a bridge, and around these centers there has been un-
paralleled growth of traffic and prosperity.
The old bridges which once connected the Borough of The
Bronx with Manhattan have all been taken down and replaced
by up-to-date steel structures.
The first bridge across the Harlem River was built by Fred-
■erick Philipse in 1693. It was named "King's Bridge" and stood
about where the present Broadway Bridge is situated until 1713,
when it was moved to just east of the present structure which bears
the name of Spuyten Duyvil Creek Bridge.
Originally a ferry, owned by Johannes Verveelen, plied be-
tween Westchester County and Manhattan Island. As traffic
45
46
THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
became too heavy, it was decided to replace the ferry by a bridge
over Spuyten Duyvil Creek ; but the public treasury was insufficient
for the undertaking of such a project. The wealthy Frederick
Philipse, foreseeing the possibility of reaping a large revenue, pro-
posed to build the bridge at his own expense if he were permitted
to collect tolls. The Provincial Assembly granted to Philipse
"the neck or island of land called Paparinemo with the salt
meadows thereunto belonging, together with power and authority
to erect a bridge over the water or river commonly called Spiten
Courtesy Department of Bridges, City of New York
King's Bridge over Spuyten Duyvil Creek in 1856
Devil Ferry or Paparinemo." The "Dutch Millionaire" was author-
ized to impose the following tolls:
" 3 pens (pence) for each man or horse that shall pass in
the daytime.
" 3 pens for each head of neat cattle.
"12 pens for each score of hoggs, calves, or sheep.
" 9 pens for every boat, vessel or canoe that shall pass the
said bridge and cause the same to be drawn up.
" 9 pens for each coach, cart, or sledge, or waggon."
The bridge was of much importance during the Revolution.
Over it Washington's defeated and disheartened army retreated in
THE STORY OF GREAT BRIDGES
4T
September, 1776; and over it again in November, 1783, Wash-
ington, Governor George Clinton and a guard of honor crossed, this
time with their faces southward, to resume once more the pos-
session of the City of New York. The surrounding section re-
ceived the name of Kingsbridge from this bridge.
A short distance southeast of the King's Bridge stood the
Farmers' Free or Dyckman's Bridge, erected in 1758 which, unlike
King's Bridge, was free of all tolls. Philipse's bridge had become
irksome to the farmers who were obliged to pay toll each time they"
Courtesy Department of Bridges, City of New York
Farmers' Bridge (Dyckman's) over Spuyten Duyvil Creek in 1860
crossed and recrossed it on their way to and from market. A move-^
ment was therefore started by Benjamin Palmer of City Island
for raising a popular subscription with which to erect a free
bridge. Palmer was encouraged in his efforts by Thomas Vermilye
of Fordham and Jacob Dyckman of Manhattan, both of whom fur-
nished the land for the approaches of the bridge. Despite the
persistent opposition of Frederick Philipse, who realized that his-
revenue would be curtailed, the project was effected and the "Free
Bridge" formally opened on New Year's Day of 1759. Thus was
a blow struck at Colonial aristocracy.
The bridge was also known as "Farmers' Bridge," "Dyek-
48
THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
man's Bridge," and afterwards as "Hadley's Bridge"; the latter
name after George Hadley who purchased this section in 1785
from the Commissioners of Forfeiture. The bridge was destroyed
during the Revolution, but rebuilt after the war. In 1911 it was
replaced by a steel structure.
In 1795 the State Legislature granted a franchise to John B.
Coles to build a dam bridge across the Harlem River. This is
known as the first Third Avenue, or Harlem, Bridge. Heretofore
all persons going from Manhattan to the mainland, and vice versa,
Free or Farmer's Bridge in 1910
were obliged to travel in a round about way across Spuyten Duyvil
Creek by ford or ferry or bridge. The bridge was to be constructed
within four years, and the ownership was to be vested in Coles
for sixty years, after which period it was to become the property
of the State. A lock, attended by a lock-keeper, was to permit the
passage of vessels.
The tolls which Coles was authorized to collect, provided he
kept the bridge in repair, ranged from one cent for every ox,
cow, or steer, and three cents for evel*y pedestrian to thirty-seven
and a half cents for every four-wheeled pleasure carriage and
horses that passed the bridge. At the expiration of the sixty years,
THE STORY OF GREAT BRIDGES
49
the Harlem Bridge Company, which was incorporated in 1808,
loathe to relinquish so rich a pudding, made efforts to procure an
extension of its franchise ; but the State Legislature turned it over
to the counties of New York and Westchester, who converted it
into a free thorofare.
For almost seventy years the Harlem Bridge did noble service
across the Harlem River, when, owing to the increased traffic
between Harlem and Morrisania, it was found necessary to replace
it with an iron structure. This second Third Avenue, or Harlem,
Courtesy Department of Bridges, City of New York
Macomb's Dam Bridge over Harlem River, 1838
Bridge was in turn removed to make room for a more modern
steel and iron bridge with a draw of 300 feet. The third Harlem
Bridge was opened to the public on August 1st, 1898, at a cost to
the City of $2,357,742.51.
In 1800 Alexander Macomb, a wealthy merchant of New York
City, who had come into possession of the forfeited Philipse prop-
erty, obtained from the city authorities a water grant extending
across Spuyten Duyvil Creek just east of the King's Bridge. His
son Robert obtained, in 1813, a grant to erect a dam across the
Harlem from Bussing's Point on the Manhattan side to Devoe's
Point on the Westchester shore, thus practically forming a mill
50
THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
pond out of the Harlem River and the Spuyten Duyvil Creek to
supply power to the mills constructed along the Westchester side.
There was a stipulation, however, that the dam should be so con-
structed as to allow the passage of boats, and that Macomb should
always have a person in attendance to afford the desired passage.
He neglected, however, to carry out this direction, and not only
erected the dam without the specified contrivance, but converted
its lip into a permanent bridge, known as Macomb's Dam Bridge,
^nd collected tolls from all who crossed it. The utter obstruction
Wil,,ii»,^
Courtesy Department of Bridges, City of Neto York
Macomb's Dam Bridge in 1861
of the river thus introduced, continued until 1838. In the mean-
time Robert Macomb had become insolvent and his property was
now in the possession of the Renwicks.
Protests were raised against the obstruction of the Harlem
River as well as against the unauthorized collection of tolls, but
they went unheeded. In 1838, Lewis G. Morris, a member of that
family which have always championed the people's rights, devised
a plot whereby he would bring the matter to an issue before the
•courts.
He built a dock half a mile north of Highbridge and chartered
the vessel Nonpareil to carry a load of coal for delivery at Morris
THE STORY OF GREAT BRIDGES
51
Dock. When the Nonpareil reached the dam at full tide, Mor-
ris demanded that the passage be opened. As this request was
not complied with, Morris with the aid of about one hundred men,
who appeared on a number of small boats, tore out a part of the
dam and thus forced thru the passage of his vessel. A suit
was instituted by the Renwicks against Morris in the Superior
Court for the damage done to the dam, but a decison was rendered
Macomb Mansion, Kingsbridge
against the plaintiffs. The Supreme Court and later the Court of
Errors upheld the original decision. Chancellor Walworth, in
handing down his decison, said in part: "The Harlem River is
an arm of the sea and a public navigable river; it was a public
nuisance to obstruct the navigation thereof without authority of
Law."
From that time on a drawbridge was always maintained in
the dam rendering the Harlem free to navigation. It was in turn
replaced in 1861, by a swinging draw which became known as
the Second Macomb's Dam Bridge, and remained in service until
52
THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
1895, when a Third Macomb's Dam, or Central Bridge, a steel
structure, took its place.
The oldest bridge across the Harlem today is the famous
High Bridge, which was completed in 1849. It is 1,450 feet long and
25 feet wide, and extends between West One Hundred Seventy-
fifth Street and Tenth Avenue, Manhattan, and Aqueduct Avenue
near One Hundred Seventieth Street, The Bronx. It is an excel-
lent example of masonry arch construction, and is one of the sights
of the neighborhood.
High Bridge, as the name suggests, was so constructed as not
Courtesy Department of Bridges, City of Xcic Yorl:
Willis Avenue Bridge
to interfere with the navigation of the Harlem River. This was
the effect of the decision rendered by the courts of the State of
New York in connection with the Macomb's Dam Bridge. It had
been planned to conduct the water of the Croton River by means
of a low siphon bridge across the Harlem River to supply water
to the City of New York. But the decision of 1839 caused the
Legislature to pass an act directing the water commissioners to
construct the aqueduct over the Harlem River with arches and
piers ; the arches to have a span of at least eighty feet and not less
than one hundred feet from the usual high-water mark of the river
to the underside of the arches of the crown.
THE STORY OF GREAT BRIDGES 53
Between the King's and the Farmers' or Dyckman's Bridges
stands the Broadway Bridge, a perfect example of its type. It was
opened to the public October 14, 1900.
Facing the Broadway Bridge is the Macomb Mansion. In
1693 this was known as the "public house at the north end of the
bridge," and in 1776 as Cox's Tavern. It was bought by Alexander
Macomb in 1797, who built nearby in 1800 the First Macomb's
Dam, and in 1848 was sold to the late J. H. Godwin. Parts still
show its age.
The Washington Bridge, with its two great steel arch spans
of 510 feet each comes next and is one of the most beautiful speci-
mens of ornamental bridgework in the world. It connects West
One Hundred Eighty-first Street, Manhattan, with Aqueduct Ave-
nue near East One Hundred Seventy-first Street, The Bronx. The
bridge was opened to the public in 1888, after two years in building
and at a cost of nearly three millions of dollars. Its entire length
is 2,399 feet, and it is 86 feet wide. The crowns of the arches are
1331/2 feet above the mean high-water mark.
Beginning at the East River and extending towards the Hud-
son is the magnificent Willis Avenue steel drawbridge which sup-
ports a heavy traffic. It connects East One Hundred Twenty-fifth
Street and First Avenue, Manhattan, with East One Hundred
Thirty-fourth Street and Willis Avenue, Bronx. It cost two mil-
lion dollars, and was opened to the public August 22nd, 1901.
Next comes the Third Avenue Bridge carrying the Elevated
Railroad. This is owned by the Suburban Rapid Transit Company,
but there is a free public footway. The Fourth Avenue Bridge
is said to be the heaviest steel drawbridge in the world, and is
used exclusively for railroad crossing.
The splendid Madison Avenue Bridge comes next, connecting
Madison Avenue, Manhattan, with East One Hundred Thirty-
eighth Street, The Bronx. This was the first bridge to be well
elevated above the river so that it would not be necessary to open
the draw for every passing vessel. The draws are not opened
before 9 o'clock in the morning nor later than 5 o'clock in the
afternoon, so as to avoid blocking the traffic and delaying the
passengers. The first Madison Avenue Bridge, constructed in
1884, was replaced by a larger and more substantial structure,
which was opened to the public on July 18th, 1910.
The One Hundred Forty-fifth Street Bridge connects West
54 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
One Hundred Forty-fifth Street and Lenox Avenue, Manhattan,
with East One Hundred Forty-ninth Street, The Bronx. It was
opened to the public on August 24th, 1905. Then follow the Ma-
comb's Dam; New York and Putnam; Washington; University
Heights ; Ship Canal ; Broadway and King's Bridges.
Connecting the Borough of The Bronx with the Borough of
Queens is to be the new steel Bronx-Astoria Bridge, now in the
process of construction. This bridge, which will be the largest
of its kind in the world, will consist of a series of spans from Port
Morris over Randall's and Ward's Islands, to the shore of the
Borough of Queens, and will provide for direct railroad communi-
cation between the two boroughs. It was designed by former
Bridge Commissioners Gustav Lindenthal, Palmer and Horn-
bostel.
The viaduct in The Bronx will be twelve blocks long, from
One Hundred Forty-second Street and Walnut Avenue, where it
will be twenty feet above ground, thru the Port Morris yard
of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad, to the water
front; here its height will be sixty-five feet.
The first span, a 300-foot bridge of the lift type, will cross
Bronx Kills. There will be a steel pier in the center, so constructed
as to permit, in the event of the Kills being deepened, as was pro-
posed by the War Department, the passage of vessels from the
Hudson River to the Sound by way of the Harlem Ship Canal.
Next will come a 2,600-foot viaduct across Randall's Island,
connecting with the second bridge, a 1,000 foot riveted truss bridge
composed of five spans across Little Hell Gate. This joins the^
viaduct across Ward's Island, which will rest on concrete piers and
will be 2,600 feet long. This viaduct will join the main bridge
structure across Hell Gate, connecting with the Astoria shore be-
tween Ditmars and Potter Avenues, just south of the old Barclay
Mansion.
The railroad crossing this bridge will have a line for freight
and another for passengers. The passenger line will connect the
Pennsylvania Railroad and the New Haven by means of the Penn-
sylvania tunnel under the Hudson River and the tunnel under the
City at Thirty-fourth Street, thus making a route thru The
Bronx from the southwest to New England and Canada. The
freight line will come by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad along
the north shore of Staten Island to St. George, thence by tunnel
THE STORY OF GREAT BRIDGES 55
under the narrows to South Brooklyn, and thence by the Bronx-
Astoria Bridge to the Bronx.
The finest bridge of all, however, will be the Henry Hudson
Memorial Bridge which is to be erected over the ship canal con-
necting Manhattan and The Bronx. This bridge will have a span
of 703 feet and will rank as one of the grandest achievements in
bridge engineering, as no masonry arch has yet been built with a
span of even 300 feet.
With the possible exception of the Albany Post Road, which
extends along the eastern bank of the historic Hudson; the old
King's Bridge Road leading thru Fordham; and the Boston
Post Road, which branches east at King's Bridge, nearly all of the
early highways have disappeared entirely or have been so altered
that they are unrecognizable. The old Westchester Path, which
was the first roadway cut out in Westchester County by the early
pioneers, is but a memory today; and all traces of its former
existence have been obliterated. In the early Colonial days it was
the only road leading from Manhattan Island to Westchester
County. By going along its crooked route, denoted by marked
trees thru the dense wilderness, it was possible, if one cared
to follow the Indian trails, to reach Greenwich and the Berkshire
Hills.
Many of the families followed the line of the old Westchester
Path as is shown by the early deeds which speak of the old West-
chester Path as bounding their property on one side or the other.
It was also over this path that the Colonial Legislature made
its flight to White Plains in 1776, from the scenes of its deliberation
in New York City, and this was the road chosen by Harvey Birch,
Fenimore Cooper's Spy, in his secret journeys for the Commander-
in-Chief of the Continental army.
CHAPTER VII
THE PARKS
The Parks Show Nature in Her Happiest Mood — Broad Acres Yield to Sport
and Sentiment — Scenes Hallowed by Sacrifices and Struggles of Our
Ancestors — A Page of Old History — The Bronx Beautiful Society.
HAT has already greatly added to the attractiveness
of The Bronx is its splendid chain of parks and recrea-
tion places. All the boroughs have beautiful parks,
but in none has Nature been more lavish in her handi-
work than in those located in The Bronx.
In April, 1883, the Legislature of New York, in the face of
much opposition, passed an act authorizing an appointment of a
commission to select one or more parks beyond the Harlem River.
This commission was duly appointed, and they marked out the
sites of the three large parks — Pelham, Bronx and Van Cortlandt
— and of three little ones — Crotona, Claremont and St. Mary's.
The commission consisted of Luther R. Marsh, President; Waldo
Hutchins, Louis Fitzgerald, Charles L. Tiffany, George W. McLean,
Thomas J. Crombie, William W. Niles, and John Mullay, Secretary,
nearly all of whom had been from the beginning conspicuously
active in the movement.
The chief objection raised against the purchase of park land
was that the parks would be a heavy expense to the city, and that
the money was needed for other purposes. But this was met by
the argument that the acquisition by the city of the parks would
raise the value of real estate in their neighborhood, and that the
city would profit by the increased taxable value of the property.
This was shown to be the case in regard to Central Park. The
experience of other cities, particularly Chicago and Boston, was
cited to substantiate this statement.
In June, 1884, the legislature passed an act giving possession
of the six parks to the City of New York, and directing the
Supreme Court to appoint a commission to appraise the lands.
This was done, and the land became the property of the City at a
cost of $9,000,000.
66
THE PARKS 57
There are seventeen named parks in the Borough, with a
total of 3,916 acres, besides numerous unnamed grounds open to
the public. The Bronx has 1,148 more acreage of park lands,
including the parkways, than all the other boroughs combined.
They are so evenly distributed thruout the Borough that they
are within the reach of all and afford ample pleasure grounds for
the multitudes.
The parks and parkways of The Bronx extend from one end
of the Borough to the other. Beginning with the most westerly
park limit there is the Spuyten Duyvil Parkway, beginning at the
junction of Spuyten Duyvil Creek and the Hudson River, and wind-
ing over the hills and thru the valleys until it intersects Van
Cortlandt Park at Two Hundred Seventy-second Street. This park-
way is intended to be a connecting link, in time, between the system
of parkways in The Bronx and those in Manhattan by means of a
viaduct over the Spuyten Duyvil Creek, to connect with a similar
parkway leading along the western side of Manhattan, which will
be an extension of Riverside Drive and Boulevard Lafayette.
Going easterly thru Van Cortlandt Park, we enter the
Mosholu Parkway, which leads directly to Bronx Park. Crossing
Bronx Park, and still going easterly we enter The Bronx and
Pelham Parkway, which brings us over to the great Pelham Bay
Park, and following along the roadway thru Pelham Bay Park
leads us up to the northerly limits of the City, and out into the town
of Pelham Manor and New Rochelle.
The largest of these parks are: Pelham Bay, Van Cortlandt,
and Bronx Parks. These three alone cover 3,608 acres. Other
parks in the Borough include Claremont, Crotona, De Voe, Joseph
Rodman Drake, Echo, Sigel, Macomb's Dam, Poe, St. James, St.
Mary's, University and Washington Bridge.
Pelham Bay, the largest of the parks, is twice the size of
Central Park, and contains large tracts of woodland with nine
miles of water front. It has a fine athletic field and parade ground,
an 18-hole golf course, and also two excellent bathing beaches.
Here w^e have located a tent city, named Orchard Beach, where
families and clubs erect their tents and spend the summer in the
open air under the supervision of the Park Department.
It was in this park that Thomas Pell signed an important
treaty with two Siwanoy Indian sachems in 1654, which made
him lord of all that region. An iron fence that once surrounded
58
THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
the famous tree under which it was signed, is all that remains
to remind us of "Treaty Oak," which was destroyed in 1906 by a
bolt of lightning. Here, too, on October 18, 1776, Col. Glover
with a brigade of 550 Marblehead fishermen engaged Sir William
Howe's army and held it in check long enough to enable General
Washington's forces to make a successful retreat to White Plains.
Pell Treaty Oak, Pelham Bay Park
This feat is memorialized by a tablet on the face of a great glacial
boulder on the City Island road, known as "Glover's Rock."
Extending thru this park, also, is "Split Rock" Road. This
derives its name from a large boulder which seems to have been
cleft in twain by a tree growing up thru the middle of the rock.
Near this boulder is the site of the house of the unfortunate Anne
Hutchinson who was cruelly butchered by the Indians.
THE PARKS 59
e Hutchinson River, which perpetuates the memory of
•eligious reformer in this region, is the Pelham Bridge,
in 1908. This bridge replaced an older one built in
was itself a successor to one erected in 1834. The Pel-
has been famous for the large fish that have been
1 it, ranging in weight from twenty to sixty-three
lous old chestnut tree, under whose spreading branches
and his officers had their luncheon just before the
lite Plains, is still standing in a wooded dell north of
ion at one time abounded in wild animals. Within two
olves were a great pest in this neighborhood. The
assembly enacted that in the County of Westchester
ngs (about $5) should be paid for a grown wolf killed
ian, and ten shillings ($2.50) for one killed by an
half that sum respectively for a whelp. The remains
fljere, up to recently, to be seen not far from Pelham
Bi the deer, the wild turkey existed in great numbers
bef the forest. It is said that flocks of them used to
ga'idge west of Van Cortlandt Park across Tippet's
I east of this little stream. The flight was always
thge black cock, and was made at sunset. The leader
thand the flock were at once on the wing,
sa'ere very common on the Bronx River. The last of
if there about 1790. It is said they at one time changed
rehe river by a dam. If the current was feeble, they
te;es trouble by building the dam straight across; but,
ig, they built the dam in a convex shape, so as to
N;ngth of the water. It was, therefore, possible to
ac? a stream by the shape of the beaver dams,
df andt Park, a botanical reservation, is situated in
It nx and is the second largest in the Borough. On
ri accessibility it is much further advanced in its
srnd is more generally used than Pelham Bay Park,
fi} '-acre parade ground, hemmed in on three sides by
id picturesque landscapes, makes a very impressive
s green sward the National Guardsmen in summer
am battles and hold their dress parades. The field
60
THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
is also used for athletic sports of all kinds, particularly baseball,
golf and polo.
The parade ground is the site of Adrien Van der Donck's
Planting Field (1653), where he located his bouwerie. Van der|
Donck had been sheriff of Rensselaerswyck, but his young, newly-,
wedded wife persuaded him to remove to Manhattan. Before he
had completed his arrangements for removal, his pretty cottage |
burned down ; and, as it was in the depth of an inclement winter
(1647), Van Corlear invited his houseless neighbors to share his
hospitality. A quarrel soon arose because the host insisted that
Van Cortlandt Vault, Van Cortlandt Park ue
rd
Van der Donck was bound to make good to his patroon the valp^
of the lost house. Van der Donck retorted sharply, and was orde ^
from the house. Kieft, who was indebted to him for a large amou-;(j
of borrowed money, permitted him to purchase from the Indians;;^
large tract of land, now part of Van Cortlandt Park, and granijg
him the privileges of patroon. This took the name of Colen Dom\^
on Donck's Colony. Many of the Dutch were in the habit of calli)j..
this estate de Jonkheer's Landt, Jonkheer being a title which ^yi
Holland was applied to the sons of noblemen. The English C(
rupted it and called it "Yonkers," whence the name of the to'^^^j
north of Van Cortlandt Park. ^g
Van Cortlandt Lake comprises about seventy-five acres a
during winter offers opportunity to ten or fifteen thousand skatei
THE PARKS
61
.and in summer is dotted by those who love to go out in small boats.
It was made in 1700 by throwing an embankment across Tippett's
Brook, the Mosholu of the Indians.
No spot of ground around New York is so hallowed by Revolu-
tionary memories as this. It was on Vault Hill, to the northwest
of the Van Cortlandt mansion, that Washington in 1781 kept a
string of camp fires blazing for several days to deceive Clinton
-across Spuyten Duyvil Creek, while the allied French and American
armies were speeding across the Jerseys on their way to Philadel-
Van Cortlandt Mansion, Van Cortlandt Park
phia and Yorktown. Vault Hill derived its name from the ancient
burial place of the Van Cortlandts. It was in this vault that the
records of the City of New York were hidden by Augustus Van
Cortlandt, then City Clerk, when the City was evacuated by the
Americans in 1776, and preserved until peace was restored.
In the lower part of Van Cortlandt Park, in front of the
Parade Ground, still stands the historic mansion erected in 1748
by Frederick Van Cortlandt, who married Frances Jay, daughter
of the ancestor of Chief Justice John Jay. Frederick Van Cort-
landt refers to it in his will, written in 1749 as "the large stone
dwelling house which I am about finishing."
62
THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
Two eagles surmounted the posts of an old gateway which,
according to Bolton's "History of Westchester," were spoils taken
from a Spanish privateer, and presented to the house by a British
Admiral. The Eagles have disappeared since the sale to the City.
General Washington occupied this house for a brief time in 1781,
prior to his retreat to Yorktown, and at the close of the war in
1783 spent a night there before crossing King's Bridge on his
triumphal entry into the City of New York. The house is still in
an excellent state of preservation, and is used as a repository of
Van Cortlandt Mills
Colonial and Revolutionary relics, in the care of the Colonial
Dames. It is furnished, as in the old historic days, with high
canopied bedsteads and other quaint household articles. In the
kitchen may still be seen the old fashioned utensils and the large
fireplace. It was in the capacious rooms of this grand, old resi-
dence that Washington, Rochambeau, the Duke of Clarence (later
King William the Fourth), and other celebrities were entertained.
During the Revolution this structure was the headquarters for the
Hessian Jaegers. Captain Rowe of the Princhbank Jaegers, having
been mortally wounded by the American water guard stationed on
Vai
auring w
THE PARKS
ea
Wild Boar Hill, was conveyed into one of the rooms of the Van
Cortlandt mansion, where, after faintly speaking a few words to
his broken-hearted bride-elect, became exhausted by the effort, and
expired in her arms.
Grand old trees surround the ancient mansion and spread their
mighty boughs above the eaves of that stately old building, as
if to shield it from the blustering winds that on stormy days sweep-
over the ridge. South of the mansion, surrounded by a moat, is
the Dutch garden. One of the stones of the old mill forms the
base for the pedestal of a sun dial. Under the shadow of this-
Fifteenth Milestone
Tenth Milestone
building may be seen the grim Rhinelander Sugar-House Prison
window, removed hither from Duane and Rose Streets, Manhattan.
This Rhinelander Sugar House was used during the Revolutionary
War as a British military prison, and it was against the solid
iron grated bars of this window that the patriots pressed their
faces to get a breath of pure air. The window was presented by
T. J. 0. Rhinelander, and dedicated on May 26, 1903. It is flanked,
by two cannons from Fort Independence.
A crumbling old millstone on the bank of the mill race, near
the site of the original Van Cortlandt house, is the only remaining-
€4
THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
relic of the picturesque saw and grist mills erected by Jacobus
Van Cortlandt, in 1700, which stood on the west side of the bridge
crossing the dam; they were struck by lightning and destroyed in
1901. To the westward, on Newton Avenue, part of the old Albany
Post Road, near Two Hundred Twenty-second Street, may still
be seen one of the two surviving milestones in this Borough,
recently reset by the City History Club. It was the fifteenth on
the route to Albany; the other one (the tenth milestone) is located
.at One Hundred Sixty-eighth Street and Boston Road.
Hadley House
About four hundred paces north is the Van Cortlandt's miller's
house, a white house built for the miller of the old estate.
Further along on the left is the Hadley house, partly of wood,
unpainted, and partly of stone covered with vines. It probably
antedates the Van Cortlandt mansion. It is said to have given
shelter more than once to Washington. In the adjoining woods
many relics have been found, including old English muskets, and
an Indian skeleton in a sitting position, holding a small child's
skeleton in its arms. Just above, north of Riverside Lane, is the
THE PARKS 65
Somler house, the older portion dating back to the Revolution.
Near Hawthorne Avenue, west of Valentine Lane, is the re-
mains of Washington's chestnut, a gigantic tree over two centuries
old, which, tradition says, Washington used as a place of ob-
servation.
At the corner of Hawthorne Avenue is the Lawrence house,
where Washington stopped. This house was probably given ta
Lawrence as a reward for his services as guide.
At Sycamore Avenue and Two Hundred and Fifty-third Street,,
one block south of the Morrisania mansion, stands the former home
of Mark Twain, where he lived in 1901.
Another interesting scene worth visiting in Van Cortlandt
Park is the Indian Field at Two Hundred Thirty-seventh Street
and Mount Vernon Avenue. On this plot lie the remains of Chief
Nimham and seventeen Stockbridge Indians, who died on August
31, 1778, fighting on the side of the patriots. The Indians put up a
desperate resistance against the British Legion Dragoons, but were
overmatched by superior numbers. Chief Nimham wounded Sim-
coe, one of the British commanders but was himself killed by
Wright, his orderly Hussar. A cairn, upon which has been fas-
tened a bronze memorial tablet by the Bronx Chapter of the
Daughters of the American Revolution, is a tribute worthy of
that valorous band who gave their lives for liberty. It bears the
following inscription:
AUGUST 31, 1778.
UPON THIS FIELD,
CHIEF NIMHAM,
AND SEVENTEEN STOCKBRIDGE INDIANS,
AS ALLIES OF THE PATRIOTS,
GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR LIBERTY.
Erected by Bronx Chapter,
Daughters of the American Revolution,
Mount Vernon, New York.
June 14, 1906.
The Mosholu Parkway over 6,500 feet long and 600 feet wide
leads direct from the Van Cortlandt to the Bronx Park. The
grandeur and natural beauty of the Bronx Park is unsurpassed.
The Zoological Park and the Botanical Gardens are the most com-
plete, and are said to be the finest in the world.
'66
THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
The Zoological Park is free to the public every day, except
Mondays and Thursdays (if not holidays) when the admission fee
is 25 cents. Almost every specimen of wild animal is to be found
here amid surroundings as nearly like those of their native haunts
^s it is possible to create.
The Botanical Gardens are alone worth a visit to the park,
Indian Monument, Van Cortlandt Park
and are a wonderland of trees, flowers, and shrubberies. The
celebrated Hemlock Grove on the west bank of the Bronx River
is a favorite resort of artists who find many an inspiring scene for
brush or pencil.
Other interesting points are : The Crystal Palace, the 100-ton
Rocking Stone, and the Boars' Den, a natural cave in the rocks.
Bronx Park was at one time the property of the Lorillards,
THE PARKS
67
whose mansion still stands near the waterfall that ran the old
snuff mill from which the family derived its fortune. During the
Revolution it was the one place in the Colonies where snuff was
manufactured. The manor-house has been renovated and turned
into a museum by the Bronx Society of Arts and Sciences. The
Lorillard Mansion Museum is open free to the public from 2 to 5
p. m. It would thrill the heart of an antiquarian to see the varied
exhibits, historical relics, and countless other curiosities.
Elephant House, Bronx Park
Thru a rocky chasm flows the romantic Bronx River, made
famous by Lord North. His Lordship once remarked that Howe
should have sailed his fleet up the Bronx River, and thus cut off
Washington's retreat. Had Howe followed up this ludicrous
order the British fleet would, no doubt, have remained there to
this day. The Bronx River runs directly thru part of the park
from north to south, varying in width from 50 to 400 feet.
Crotona Park is situated in what is now one of the most popu-
lous sections of the Borough, and with its ball fields, tennis courts,
athletic fields, and Indian Lake, affords splendid recreation grounds
for those living in its immediate neighborhood. Many improve-
ments have been made in this park within the last few years. In
68
THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
the northwest corner of the park stands the Borough Hall, erected
in 1897.
The land comprising Crotona Park constituted the Bathgate
Farm. Alexander Bathgate, a Scotchman, who came to this coun-
try early in the nineteenth century, was overseer on the farm of
Gouverneur Morris, the First. He was frugal and thrifty, and
he saved enough to purchase the farm from the second Gouverneur
Morris.
"GuNDA," The Famous Elephant of Bronx Park Zoo
Crotona Parkway, 100 feet wide, connects Crotona Park with
Bronx Park. It was opened in 1910.
Claremont Park is situated on very high natural ground and
gives an extensive view of the surrounding territory on all sides.
This was formerly known as the Zborowski Farm, which Martin
Zborowski obtained as a dowry from the Morris family thru
his marriage to Anna Morris. The headquarters of the Bronx Park
Department is located in what was known as the Zborowski man-
sion, a stone building erected in 1859, and is evidently on the site of
an older building dating about 1676. Beyond is the famous Black
Swamp, where cattle have been lost since the time of the Indians.
For years it has defied the eff'orts of all contractors to fill it up.
THE PARKS
69
Claremont Park is connected with Crotona Park by means of
Wendover Avenue. A little north of Claremont Park are located
the smaller parks, known as Echo Park, St. James Park and Poe
Park. Poe Park is so named because adjacent to the park was the
Poe Cottage, recently removed to the Park and where Edgar Allen
Poe wrote many of his poems. Here, Virginia, his invalid wife,
died and was buried from the Fordham Manor Dutch Reformed
Church, Kingsbridge Road and Aqueduct Avenue. In Poe Park,
directly opposite the cottage, there is a bust of Poe with an inscrip-
BiRD Court, Bronx Park
tion, erected by the Bronx Society of Arts and Sciences on the
centenary of his birth, January 19th, 1909. In the Cromwell
house near the Poe cottage lived an old lady who supplied Poe
with the necessities of life during his deepest poverty.
St. Mary's Park is situated at the southerly end of the Borough
and was formerly a portion of the property of Gouverneur Morris,
who lies buried in the churchyard of St. Ann's Church, within a
few feet of the park.
In the northwesterly end of the Borough are Franz Sigel
Park, Macomb's Dam Park, University Park and Washington
Bridge Park; all small but splendidly located, and adding much
to the general beauty of the Borough. Franz Sigel Park, originally
70
THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
called Cedar Park from the number of cedar trees growing there,
was so renamed, in 1902, in memory of the heroic Civil War veteran
who lived during the latter part of his life not far from Cedar Park.
Recently some of the members of the North Side Board of
Trade and The Bronx Industrial Bureau called, thru W. R.
Messenger, the Secretary of the Bureau, a meeting of citizens in
LoRiLLARD Mansion, Bronx Park
the Morris High School to consider the organization of a society
which should have for its object the preservation of the natural
beauties of the Borough and the improvement of its home sur-
roundings. A large and interested body of citizens responded to the
call, and the meeting resulted in the organization of the Bronx-
Beautiful Society.
Among those urging its formation and indicating its field of
usefulness were the Hon. C. C. Miller, President of the Borough;
Hon. Joseph A. Goulden, ex-member of Congress; Hon. Thomas
THE PARKS
71
J. Higgins, Commissioner of Parks; Chancellor Elmer E. Brown,
of New York University; R. E. Simon, President of the Bronx
Industrial Bureau ; E. B. Boynton, President of the American
Realty Company; Hon. James L. Wells, who was elected Presi-
dent of the Society; Chancellor Brown became its Vice President;
Hon. Joseph A. Goulden was made Chairman of the Executive
Committee, and Charles F. Minor, manager of The Bronx branch
Bathgate Homestead
of the Knickerbocker Trust Company, became Treasurer, while
W. R. Messenger was elected secretary. Other members of the
Executive Committee were J. J. Amory, E. B. Boynton, Prof. Irvin
Chaffee, William S. Germain, Rev. Thomas F. Gregg, Rev. W. H.
Kephart, Hon. F. D. Wilsey, R. E. Simon, W. R. Messenger, and
Olin J. Stephens. To this committee have since been added Charles
Hilton Brown and Mrs. Miller, of Mount Hope.
CHAPTER VIII
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
How the Future of the Child is Anticipated and the Schools Turn out the Men
and Women of Tomorrow — Churches — How the Spiritual and Moral
Welfare is looked After — Hospitals — Benevolent and Charitable Institu-
tions— Cemeteries.
N educational facilities The Bronx possesses all that
can be desired. No civic institutions have been
more zealously looked after by the municipality
than the public schools. True, some of the lower
grades have been necessarily put on part time be-
cause of the enormous increase in population in the last
two years; but many new schools are now in course of erection
and the work is being pushed with all vigor so that in due time
there will be a seat for every child in The Bronx.
Search among the old records has failed to reveal just where
and when the first school in the Borough was established. It was
in a quaint little story-and-a-half schoolhouse once standing just
east of the old Boston Post Road, now Third Avenue, and One
Hundred Fifty-sixth Street that the gentry of the neighborhood,
including the various branches of the Morris family, learned the
rudiments of reading, writing, and ciphering. Bolton in his "His-
tory of the County of Westchester" says that the first schoolhouse
in Eastchester was erected in 1683, but it hardly seems possible
that the burghers' children with their thirst for knowledge were
so long without a school.
In Westchester the English school was established and main-
tained by the British Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in
Foreign Parts. The first schoolmaster of whom we have any rec-
ord is Edward Fitzgerald who served in 1709. He seems to have
taught in the school only provisionally, for in that year the Rev.
John Bartow wrote to the Society recommending the appointment
of Daniel Clark, the son of a clergyman, as schoolmaster. Mr.
Clark served from 1710 to 1713, when he was succeeded by Charles
Glover, who held tne position until 1719. Mr. Glover was paid a
72
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS 73
salary of eighteen pounds per annum, which was considered quite
an income in those days.
Mr. William .Forster, who subsequently opposed Judge Lewis
Morris in the election for representative in the Assembly, is next
mentioned as the schoolmaster at Westchester. His remuneration
was ten pounds per annum and a gratuity of ten pounds.
He served until 1743, and the following year was succeeded
by Mr. Basil Bartow, the son of the Rev. John Bartow,
who held the position until 1762. There was a vacancy for
two years which was filled by Mr. Nathaniel Seabury, a son
of the Society's missionary at Hempstead, Long Island, and a
brother of the Rev. Samuel Seabury, rector of the parish. The
power of appointment had been vested by the Propagation Society
in the rector; George Youngs succeeded Nathaniel Seabury in 1768,
and served until 1772. There was a vacancy again for two years,
and in 1774 Mr. Gott accepted the appointment and held the office
until the Revolution. After the war the school passed from the
authority of the church to that of the town.
It was not, however, until 1874, when the Twenty-third and
the Twenty-fourth Wards were annexed to New York City and
the schools passed under the control of the Board of Education,
that they developed to any degree of efficiency.
Since the consolidation of the Greater City in 1897, the public
school system in the Borough has reached its highest mark. From
a small number of scattered schools with a few thousand pupils
there has grown a school population of 86,000, housed in fifty ele-
mentary school buildings and one secondary school. There is a class
for crippled children in Public School No. 4 at Prospect Avenue
and One Hundred and Seventy-sixth Street. They are transported
to and from the school by means of two stages. Open-air classes
are provided for enemic children, wlio are supplied with free
lunches and sitting-out paraphernalia.
Besides these schools there are within the Borough limits
twenty parochial schools and the two great universities — New York
and Fordham.
The New York University, founded in 1831, ranks among the
foremost institutions of learning in the United States. The
founders had an idea of grandeur and beauty when they selected
this spot for the celebrated college. It is charmingly situated on a
forty-acre elevation on Fordham Heights and overlooks the Harlem
74
THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
and Hudson Rivers, as well as Long Island Sound. Its environ-
ments are ideal and invigorating for the educational advantages
and physical opportunities provided under the experienced and able
supervision of Dr. Elmer Ellsworth Brown, Chancellor, and a
most distinguished faculty.
About five thousand students are distributed thru the fol-
New York University
lowing departments : College of Arts and Pure Science, Graduate
School, School of Pedagogy, School of Commerce, Law School, and
Medical College.
Adjoining the Library Building is the "Hall of Fame," where
are recorded on bronze tablets the names of America's immortals
in science, literature, art, law, politics and other fields of noble
endeavor. These names are selected by a committee of men who
are themselves leaders in their respective professions, and who are
thus best qualified to pass judgment upon such matters.
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS 75
The site of Fort Number Eight was acquired by the University
in 1907. It is marked by a boulder inscribed:
The Site
OF
Fort Number Eight
1776-1783.
Fordham University, established ten years later, has a wide-
spread fame, and its students come from every quarter of the
globe. The college is located in Fordham at the northern part of
The Bronx. Since its inception, in 1841, it has been under the
auspices of the Fathers of the Society of Jesus. No college thru-
out the land is more thoro in its system of education than this,
and no student gets his university degree until he has attained the
high intellectual qualifications for which the university is noted.
The university includes three departments: The Department
of Philosophy and Arts, the Department of Medicine and the De-
partment of Law. A school of Pharmacy was added last year, and
Schools of Dentistry and Engineering will be established in 1914.
At the corner of Fordham Road and Sedgwick Avenue, on
the site of the Old Dutch Burial Ground, stands the imposing
Webb's Academy and Home for Shipbuilders. It was founded and
endowed by the eminent shipbuilder and naval architect, William
Henry Webb, who is noted for his ship, the Dunderberg, built in
1864 for the United States Government and afterwards sold it to
France. The Academy gives young men, who are citizens of the
United States and who pass the entrance examination, free instruc-
tion in the science and the art of shipbuilding and marine engine
building. It furnishes its students with board and lodging as well
as with all of the necessary tools and materials. The Home affords
free relief and support to aged, indigent, or unfortunate ship-
builders or marine engine builders, as well as to their wives or
widows.
Other institutions of importance are : The Morris High School
on Boston Road, Classon's Point Military Academy, and the Convent
Schools and Academies of Mount St. Vincent, St. Joseph, St.
Jerome, St. Martin of Tours, and Mount St. Ursula.
The spiritual and moral welfare of the community is looked
after by one hundred and seventy-seven churches, made up of the
following denominations : Baptist, 13 ; Congregational, 6 ; Disciples
76
THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
of Christ, 2 ; Jewish, 12 ; Lutheran, 23 ; Methodist, 26 ; Moravian,! ;
Presbyterian, 17; Protestant Episcopal, 25; Reformed Church of
America, 9 ; Reformed Episcopal, 1 ; Seventh Day Adventists, 3 ;
Roman Catholic, 38, and United Presbyterian, 1.
Accessory to these are many charitable and benevolent insti-
tutions, as well as hospitals and free dispensaries. In these the
wants of the needy are looked after and the sick are admitted free.
/
Morris High School
if too poor to pay for treatment. On the staffs of these hospitals
are many distinguished physicians and surgeons who receive large
fees in private practice, but who, as humanitarians, give their
time and service to the poor without remuneration.
There are ten hospitals in The Bronx, three of which have
ambulance service answering all calls in the Borough. Fordham
Hospital, established in 1882, is under the charge of the Board of
Trustees of Bellevue and Allied Hospitals. It is not only the
busiest hospital, but it covers more territory than any of the other
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS 77
institutions; its ambulance district reaches from East One Hun-
dred Seventieth Street to City Island. The hospital is admirably
situated at Southern Boulevard and Crotona Avenue and faces the
Bronz Zoological Park. An excellent corps of physicians and
surgeons treat an average of one hundred and sixty patients a day.
There are one hundred and fifty beds distributed in six wards,
and in all there are accommodations for five hundred patients.
Reposing upon the rocky heights at Cauldwell and Westchester
Avenues is Lebanon Hospital, formerly the Ursuline Convent. Al-
tho incorporated in 1890 by Jewish philanthropists its doors are
open to all, regardless of nationality or creed. Connected with
the hospital is a free dispensary and a splendid training school
for nurses.
For the eight months preceding December 31st, 1912, 2,593
patients were treated in the hospital. In addition the ambulance
service responded to 1,639 calls, of which 1,436 were accident cases
that were taken to the hospital for treatment. During the same
period 27,309 patients were treated in the dispensary free of
charge.
The hospital is maintained partly by voluntary subscription
and donations, and partly by the city. Its ambulance territory is
from One Hundred Forty-ninth to One Hundred Seventieth Streets.
Lincoln Hospital, at East One Hundred Forty-first Street and
Concord Avenue, was originally incorporated in 1845, as a colored
home and hospital. In 1901 it was opened to the general public
and an ambulance service was added, covering the territory from
Harlem River to One Hundred Forty-ninth Street. It provide.-?
separate buildings for consumptive and maternity patients, aiid a
detached pavilion for persons afflicted with infectious diseases, li
has also a home for the aged, infirm and destitute colored people
of both sexes; a home for incurables; and a training school for
colored nurses. The hospital has a capacity of four hundred beds.
It is supported by voluntary subscriptions, donations and bequests.
St. Joseph's Hospital for consumptives, a Roman Catholic
institution, is located at St. Ann's and Brook Avenues,
East One Hundred Forty-third and One Hundred Forty-fourth
Streets. It was established in 1882, and is in charge of the Sisters
of the Poor of Saint Francis, a German order. During 1912, over
2,000 patients were treated here irrespective of nationality or
religious denomination. The hospital has five hundred beds which
78 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
are constantly occupied by sufferers in all stages of the "Great
White Plague."
Seton Hospital at Spuyten Duyvil is another fine institution
where tuberculous patients are treated irrespective of race or
creed. Its location is ideal. Overlooking the Hudson and Harlem
Rivers, it embraces an area of twenty-eight acres. The hospital
was named after Mother Elizabeth Baily Seton, the founder of
the Sisters of Charity in the United States. It was incorporated
in 1892 and opened in 1895 by Sister Mary Irene of the Sisters of
Charity, under whose management it is conducted. The main
building, formerly the Whiting mansion, which is used exclusively
for men, accommodates two hundred patients. The House of
Nazareth, a branch of this hospital, is used for the accommodation
of women and children, and has a capacity of two hundred.
St. Francis Hospital occupies the entire block between One
Hundred Forty-second and One Hundred Forty-third Streets and
Brook and St. Ann's Avenues, and is under the direct charge of
the Sisters of the Poor of St. Francis; the same denomination as-
that having charge of St. Joseph's Hospital. It is one of the
Borough's largest and most modern charity hospitals and treats
diseases of all kinds. The institution has over four hundred beds
at the disposal of patients regardless of sect or nationality. For
the treatment of non-paying poor it is reimbursed by the City.
Union Hospital is located in the old Eden mansion, formerly
occupied by Fordham Hospital, at No. 2456 Valentine Avenue,
corner of One Hundred Eighty-eighth Street. It is a general hos-
pital for the treatment of all ailments and has many prominent
physicians connected with it. It is maintained entirely by volun-
tary contributions and membership in the Union Hospital Asso-
ciation, and receives patients of all creeds, sects or nationalities.
During the first year of its existence over five hundred surgical
operations were performed by its surgeons including the most
severe and difficult.
Riverside Hospital, on North Brother Island, is a city institu-
tion for the isolation of contagious and infectious diseases. It has
accommodations for five hundred patients. Its ideal location on
the Sound is one of the factors that help to effect many cures ; it
is under the charge of Bellevue and Allied Hospitals.
The Home for Incurables, on Third Avenue between One Hun-
dred Eighty-first Street and One Hundred Eighty-fourth Streets,
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS 79
is one of the oldest institutions in The Bronx. It originated in
1866 in a small rented house in West Farms, the Old Jacob Lo-
rillard mansion ; but it rapidly outgrew its limited accommodations.
Thru the generosity of the late Catherine Lorillard Wolfe, the
spacious grounds upon which the institution now stands were
deeded to the Home in 1873. During the forty-six years of its
existence 3,261 patients of both sexes suffering from "incurable"
diseases, not contagious nor infectious, have found a home there.
Of this number two per cent have left the institution cured, while
1,019 were discharged for various reasons. There are at present
about 286 invalids in the Home.
At its new quarters No. 459 East One Hundred Forty-first
Street, the Bronx Eye and Ear Infirmary has been doing excellent
work for the last nine years. Persons suffering from diseases of
the eye, ear, nose or throat who are unable to pay for professional
services are accorded free treatment at the infirmary. They have
now also opened a dental clinic.
A new Bronx Hospital is to be erected in the neighborhood of
Kingsbridge Road and Sedgwick Avenue. It will be on the style
of Fordham Hospital, with excellent ambulance service, and is to
be directly connected with Bellevue and the allied hospitals.
In addition to the hospitals already mentioned, there are many
church and private societies who supply medicine and medical as-
sistance to the poor and needy.
Among the benevolent and charitable institutions, the New
York Catholic Protectory, situated on Walker Avenue and the
Unionport Road in Westchester, ranks as the largest. It was
founded in 1863, and since its doors opened it has sheltered and
educated approximately 50,000 wayward and destitute juveniles.
Like all truly great religious and benevolent enterprises, its be-
ginning was small, but the field was so large and worthy that many
prominent men were influenced to aid Archbishop Hughes and the
Brothers of the Christian Schools in this great charity work. The
present site at Westchester, covering an area of 114 acres, was
purchased June 9th, 1865, and cost $40,000.
There are three classes admitted to this institution — those
under fourteen years of age, who, with the written consent of
their parents or guardians, may be intrusted to it for protection or
reformation ; those between seven and sixteen years of age com-
mitted as idle, truant, vicious or homeless by order of a magistrate ;
80 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
and those of a like age transferred by the Department of Public
Charities. The boys, in charge of the Christian Brothers of the
Catholic Church, receive a general school education and are taught
trades, such as printing, electrotyping, bookbinding, shoe, brush,
harness, and paper box making, baking, farming, tailoring, chair
caning, brick laying, plumbing, telegraphy, blacksmithing, wheel-
wrighting, carpentering, painting, drawing, etc.
The girls, under the tutelage of the Society of St. Vincent de
Paul, also receive a general school education and are taught ma-
chine sewing, typewriting, cooking, laundry work, telegraphy and
music. The famous Protectory Band has won an enviable reputa-
tion in the musical world and is a great credit to the institution.
The Peabody Home for Aged and Indigent Women at Boston
Eoad and One Hundred Seventy-ninth Street was founded in 1874,
and is a free and non-sectarian institution for white women over
sixty-five years of age. The Home is supported entirely by volun-
tary subscriptions and accommodates about thirty-five.
The Home for the Friendless at Jerome and Woodycrest Ave-
nues, opposite Macomb's Dam Park, was opened in 1902, and
aims to save from degradation, friendless and neglected children;
boys under ten and girls under fourteen. It is under the control
of the American Female Guardian Society. After being legally
surrendered to the society, they are transferred by adoption to
Christian families who, upon investigation, can give satisfactory
assurance that they will provide good homes for the children.
Other philanthropic institutions are: The Roman Catholic
Orphan Asylum at Fordham Heights ; The Hebrew Infant Asylum ;
St. Philip's Parish House, and Webb's Academy and Home for
Shipbuilders, mentioned elsewhere in another connection.
The New York Public Library absorbed in 1904 the Bronx Free
Library and maintains five branches in beautiful Carnegie Build-
ings, where books and periodicals are loaned to young and old,
and where reference and reading rooms accommodate scholars and
students. The libraries are located at 321 East One Hundred
Fortieth Street, 78 West One Hundred Sixty-eighth Street, 610 East
One Hundred Sixty-ninth Street, 1866 Washington Avenue, and
3041 Kingsbridge Avenue.
It is a natural phase of human existence that a city's cemeteries
expand in numbers and dimensions in direct ratio to the city's
increase in size and population.
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS 81
Foremost in The Bronx is Woodlawn Cemetery, at Woodlawn.
It was incorporated in 1863 and covers four hundred acres of ele-
vated, sloping lands that display the height of the landscape
gardener's art and is one of the most picturesque burying grounds
in the world. It is situated on the westerly side of the Bronx River,
and extends to East Two Hundred Twenty-third Street.
The grounds are divided by countless pathways, walks and
avenues, and the contrast of the hundreds of marble and granite
columns, monuments and mausoleums against the rich, green
lawns affords a rare picture. Trees of great age and splendor, beds
of flowers and plants and the green beds of ivy that almost hide
many of the grey-white tombs add to the delicious richness of the
spot.
Representatives of some of the most prominent families in
New York have tombs there. Most notable are: The Appletons,
Goulds, Vanderbilts, Lorillards, Choates, Corbins, Crosbys, But-
terfields, Dillons, Flaglers, Havemeyers, Sloans, and Whitneys. The
remains of Lieut. De Long, and Jospeh Pulitzer are also interred
there. Lieut. De Long's body, with those of his comrades, were
brought from the Arctic regions and interred on Chapel Hill
Avenue.
One of the most imposing of the monuments in the cemetery
is that of our first admiral, David Glasgow Farragut, who was
buried here in 1870. The shaft is of fine white marble in the
shape of a portion of a ship's mast, at the foot of which are
nautical paraphernalia, a sword and symbolic shields. The inscrip-
tion reads:
Erected
By his Wife and Son
To THE Memory of
DAVID GLASGOW FARRAGUT,
First Admiral of the United States Navy
Born July 5, 1801,
Died August 14, 1870.
Bensonia Cemetery, altho now a neglected, barren tract of
land known on the City Map as the "Public Place at Rae Street,"
was once a picturesque burial ground, in a lovely section of Mor-
risania, densely shaded by elms, poplar and evergreen trees. The
land was purchased in 1853 by Robert H. Elton, who laid out what
82 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
he termed the "House Territory of Bensonia." About three years
later it came into the possession of James L. Parsball who enlarged
its boundaries so that it extended from Rae Street on the south to
Carr Street on the north.
In 1868 the trustees of Morrisania forbade further inter-
ments within its limits, and henceforth the cemetery has been neg-
lected. A new street, St. Ann's Avenue, was laid out so as prac-
tically to cut the burial ground in two, and the bodies thus un-
earthed were removed to other cemeteries.
The extreme southeasterly section of Bensonia Cemetery was
bought half a century ago by the Sons of Liberty, and here rest
over 150 of its members. But the brave soldiers of the Civil War
who were buried have not a tablet to indicate their resting places.
In his police history. Inspector Byrnes states that the ghouls
who robbed the grave of A. T. Stewart temporarily hid his remains
in this sequestered spot, and no one can accurately say whether his
body rests under his costly mausoleum at Garden City.
Efforts have been made to have the City convert the Bensonia
Cemetery into a public park, but as yet without success. It is
hoped that in the near future the tract known as the "Public
Place at Rae Street," will be transferred into a beautiful breathing
place.
St. Raymond's Cemetery on the Fort Schuyler Road in West-
chester is used exclusively by the Roman Catholics. It embraces
€ighty-six acres and has many beautiful and imposing monuments.
CHAPTER IX
OAK POINT
The "Cradle of Cuban Liberty" — Wreck of the British Frigate Hussar.
|ip^T-7/^^ F the future prosperity of Bronx Park depends
a^V' ^/ upon the productive and commercial activities of
> its people, its success is assured, for no city in the
^x__-^ ^ world has such natural or economic advantages.
What has been done in the way of improvements
is small compared to what is projected for the near fu-
ture. New arteries of travel are to connect every section of the
Borough with Manhattan. With the tri-borough subway under
construction, and other local facilities for transportation extended,
an efficient municipal and borough administration to push the
work ahead, The Bronx has indeed a bright and glorious future.
So fast have events crowded one upon another since the days
of Jonas Bronck, that the Borough's historic surroundings are
rapidly being lost sight of.
One of the most conspicuous landmarks that was swept away
by the 1906 land boom was the Casanova mansion, known as the
"Cradle of Cuban Liberty." For years this famous structure had
been standing a quaint, gray spectre at Oak Point, neglected and
untenanted, and without a sign of life about, save the New Haven
and Hartford freight station a quarter of a mile away.
The mansion was built in 1859 by Benjamin M. Whitlock, a
wealthy grocer of New York, on a property consisting of fifty
acres. The building cost $350,000 when completed, and was the
most imposing residence above the Harlem at that time. It is
said that the door knobs were made of solid gold. As a carriage
approached the gates of the estate the horses stepped on a hidden
spring causing the gates to fly open ; and the house had secret
underground passages. The house contained one hundred rooms
and the beauty in the decoration of these rooms has not been sur-
passed to this day,
83
84
THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
The mansion was known as "Whitlock's Folly," and the name
clung to the place until the building was destroyed. In 1867, after
the death of Mr. Whitlock, his widow sold the house to Senor
Yglesias Casanova, a wealthy Cuban sugar and coffee planter, for
$150,000. Senor Casanova was a leader of a band of Cuban, pa-
triots, and during the early struggles of the Cuban people for
liberty, this place was the rendezvous of Cuban patriots and sym-
pathizers. It is said that the cellars and subterranean passages
Casanova Mansion
were stored with powder and rifles which eventually found their
way into the hands of the patriots in Havana and other Cuban
cities. An underground passage had been made, running from
the house to the Sound, and under cover of darkness boats, which
were undoubtedly filibusters, were occasionally seen to steal into
the little cove that the mansion overlooked; and, after being
freighted with ammunition and other implements of war, to creep
out again as mysteriously as they had entered.
After the suppression of the first Cuban revolution, Casanova,
whose loyalty to his country never waned, became down-hearted,
and the mansion that for many years had been the scene of revelry
OAK POINT 85
and likewise of social functions, ceased to be occupied. Mr. Casa-
nova moved to New Orleans, and the house began to fall into
decay for want of care and attention.
When the war was declared between this country and Spain,
Mr. Cosanova was an aged man. It is said that he returned to
Spain where he died.
Just prior to the demolition of the building, the author had
occasion to visit it. The once magnificent old structure appeared
in a pitifully dilapidated state. The grounds surrounding it were
overrun with rank weeds and other unsightly growth. The mas-
sive bronze doors, with their Spanish coat-of-arms, turned heavily
upon their squeaky hinges, as if reluctant to admit the feet of
common mortals.
As one entered the dimly lighted hall, he seemed to be stepping
into the shadows of former ages, for everything looked so sombre
and sepulchral. An unnatural hollow sound echoed and reverber-
ated thru the spacious hall as one's footsteps fell upon the marble
floor.
A hasty glance thru the rooms left one amazed at the
elaborate beauty of the architecture. The decorations of each
apartment were different, there being no two rooms alike. Some
had panelled ceilings and walls, others were richly decorated in
fleur-de-lis and other floral designs, with heavy carved woodwork
of cherry and oak. So artistically and sumptuously were they
fashioned that one was fascinated with their grandeur.
There were numerous stairways leading to the cellar, some of
which were rather risky to descend, as they were narrow and
dark. The cellar was strewn with old rubbish, and on the south
side of the building there was a large kitchen. A rusty iron oven^
a three-legged stool and an old wooden table upon which stood
several broken dishes, were the only furnishings of the room. The
place was musty and malodorous and shrouded in darkness. With
the aid of a lantern the old tunnel was located. It was choked up
with dirt and rubbish, but there was enough of it exposed to give
a fair conception of what it had once been. On either side of the
tunnel were half a dozen cells built of solid rock with heavy iron
hinges riveted to both the floors and walls. To what use they
could have been put can only be surmised. Could they speak what
tales thej might have unfolded !
Ofl" Port Morris is the deepest water in the vicinity of New7
86
THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
York. The Great Eastern made her first anchorage here on her
maiden trip to New York, having come in by way of the Sound.
Close by is Pot Rock where the British frigate-of-war Hussar
sank with one hundred and seven men on board. The vessel
reached New York from England on September 13, 1780, carrying
Subterranean Passage and Cells
American prisoners and laden with a mass of gold, silver and cop-
per coin with which to pay off the British forces in the Colonies.
Rumors having reached the English Admiralty that New York City
was about to fall into the hands of the Americans, the Hussar was
given orders to sail up the Sound to Newport. But it struck in
the vicinity of North Brother Island and Port Morris on the 23rd
of November, 1780.
It was said that she carried to the bottom with her not only
OAK POINT
87
her own treasure but also three hundred and eighty thousand
pounds which had been transferred from the Mercury; another
British vessel. Numerous futile attempts have been made since
1818 to recover the treasure, and over a quarter of a million dollars
have been sunk in the endeavors. In 1819 her guns and upper
sheathing were brought to light. One treasure-seeker unearthed
from the wreck fifteen guineas, a number of relics, including some
beer mugs, inscribed "George III. Rex." and a cannon now in the
museum of Worcester, Mass. Copper rivets of the prisoners' mana-
Leggett's Lane
cles, projectiles, and parts of the ship's woodwork have also been
found.
Finally Secretary Gresham of the New York State Depart-
ment exploded the myth of the lost treasure. He examined closely
the report of the Admiralty Office and the logs of the Hussar and
the Mercury, but found no mention of any treasure. A report of
Fletcher Betts, an officer of the Hussar, was discovered which
stated that there had been twenty thousand pounds in gold on
the Hussar, but that two days before the disaster the money had
been delivered to the Commissary General at New York; Betts
himself having assisted in the transfer.
Near the Longwood Club House at Southern Boulevard and
88 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
Leggett Avenue, formerly Leggett's Lane, is the site of a Revolu-
tionary cave. There was a skirmish close by between the British
and the Americans, and the patriots were forced to flee. They car-
ried their dead along with them, and when they reached this cave
they hastily concealed the corpses of their comrades.
CHAPTER X
HUNT'S POINT
Colonial and Revolutionary Days — The Story of Joseph Rodman Drake — A
Visit to "God's Little Acre."
pNE by one the old landmarks of The Bronx are disap-
pearing. The few that have been preserved are worth
more than a casual inspection. There are few places
in the Borough about which cluster so many interest-
ing and historical reminiscences of the Colonial and
Revolutionary periods as the Hunt's Point section. A few years
ago, there were many of these early landmarks standing, but the
region is changing rapidly; the old sites giving way to bright, new
bricks and mortar.
On April 25, 1666, Edward Jessup and John Richardson ob-
tained from Governor Nicolls a patent for certain lands, now
known as the West Farms Patent; they having previously, on
March 12, 1663, purchased the Indian rights. These lands lay
along the west bank of the Bronx River, bounding "to the midst of
the said river" running from the Fordham line south to the Sea
or East River, and westerly to a little brook called Sackwrahung ,
or Bungay Creek, which ran along about where Intervale Avenue
is now located.
On obtaining possession of this patented land, Jessup and
Richardson set aside two home plots, each consisting of thirty
acres of upland and eight acres of meadow. These were located
on the old Hunt's Point Road just south of the present Lafayette
Avenue. The Dickey and Spofford properties on the east of the
old road, include within their bounds Richardson's thirty acres
and most of the two meadow parcels. This home-lot vested, in
1679, in Gabriel Leggett, thru his wife Elizabeth, a daughter
of Richardson, and remained in a branch of the Leggett family
down to 1836. It was known as Barretto's Point.
Historians give but meagre information regarding John Rich-
ardson, but speak of Edward Jessup as a most remarkable man,
89
90 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
not because he was a magistrate and a large land owner, or be-
cause'he sprang from an ancient and illustrious English family;
but, because he was a brave, daring, upright man, full of restless
energy, and the recognized champion of the colonists. Among
his neighbors, he was popularly known as Goodman Jessup, and
in 1665, he was one of Westchester's two delegates sent to the
Convention of Towns held in Hempstead, Long Island — the first
representative and deliberative body that assembled in the Colony.
In that convention Jessup boldly advocated the right of the
people to elect their own magistrates, instead of having those
officers selected and appointed by the King.
This convention is referred to by historians as the precursor
of the elective judiciary system of our State — a system which has
been aptly described as "the growth of the soil."
Edward Jessup was the progenitor of a family who became
distinguished in the annals of our country, and among whom was
Major General Thomas Sidney Jessup, a hero of the War of 1812,
and of the Mexican War, and who was prominently mentioned as
a Democratic candidate for the Presidency of the United States.
Edward Jessup, on his death in 1666, devised his interest in
the patent to Elizabeth Jessup, his widow. She married one
Robert Meacham in 1668, and they in the same year conveyed the
Jessup interest in the patent to her son-in-law, Thomas Hunt, Jr.,
who married Elizabeth Jessup, the daughter of Edward Jessup.
It was after this Thomas Hunt, the son of Thomas Hunt of the
Grove Farm Patent, that Hunt's Point received its name.
In 1669 Hunt sold his home lot on which he then resided,
and built on a parcel of land at the north end of what is now
Barretto's Point, near the old Landing Road. Around this section
we find the early houses were erected.
Later, Richardson or Leggett, Richardson's son-in-law, erected
a house west of the old Hunt's Point Road, south of the present
Spofford Avenue, and near Bound Brook, on the land which also
was acquired by the Leggett branch, and in which Gabriel Leggett,
the second, lived, dying there about 1786. This property also
remained in the possession of the Leggett family down to 1850.
Richardson and Hunt entered upon and cultivated parts of
the present Hunt's Point. Richardson used a parcel of about
twenty acres of upland at its southerly end along the Sound,
probably as a cornfield, and both cut the meadows on the east side
HUNT'S POINT 91
of the Point; Richardson cutting the upper, and Hunt the lower
end.
It would appear that disputes soon arose between them as to
their occupations of the Point, and to settle the same they ap-
pointed four commissioners in 1669 to adjust the differences and
make a division of the lower end of the patented lands. This the
commissioners did, awarding Richardson the twenty acres so oc-
cupied by him, and sixteen acres of meadow, cut by him at the
northwest corner of Hunt's Point, and Barretto's Point on the
west, which last mentioned point they called in their report the
"Long Neck"; while they awarded to Hunt all the rest of Hunt's
Point, which they called the "Cornfield Neck," and certain
meadows at its upper end.
The old Hunt's Point Road, which ran thru the middle
of the patent down and into the Point was no doubt opened first
at its lower end and used by Hunt and Richardson, while the old
Landing Road which branched from it and ran into the Barretto's
Point, or "Long Neck" lands, traces of which are still visible at
its junction with the Hunt's Point Road, was opened prior to 1700.
About 1700 Thomas Hunt's eldest son, Thomas, acquired the
Richardson twenty acres at the south end, and his father's interest
in the rest of the Point, which was then and for many years
thereafter called the "Planting Neck." The Indian name was
Quinnahung. This property remained in this branch of the Hunt
family down to the middle of the last century.
While mentioning the names of "Cornfield Neck" and "Plant-
ing Neck," we might incidentially call attention, as a matter of
historical information, to names given other parts of the Point;
for instance, the "Little Neck" which lay along the old Hunt's
Point Road, at the upper end of the Point east of the Barretto
Homestead. On this road at the upper end of the Little Neck,
about 250 feet north of the Eastern Boulevard, was the old gate or
entrance to the Hunt property on Hunt's Point. Alongside of the
old road, and just west of the angle where it turns toward the Hunt
and Leggett cemetery, is an old well nearly filled in, which was
probably the old well known as "Richardson's well," while on the
east side of the Point, near the easterly end of the Eastern Boule-
vard, is a district, known for 200 years as the "Fox Hills," which
probably derived its name from the fact that it was at one time
a fox haunt.
92 • THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
In 1680 Hunt and Richardson arranged for a division of the
upper end of the patent into twelve great lots, but before the divi-
sion was completed Richardson died. In 1681 Hunt and Richard-
son's widow, who acted on behalf of Richardson's heirs, completed
the division by drawing lots, each taking six lots. Hunt divided
his six, except one which he sold, among his sons and grandson.
The tract was therefore called the "Twelve Farms" as well as
West Farms.
Edward Jessup had three children : Elizabeth, who married
Thomas Hunt, the second, about 1662; Hannah and Edward, the
latter two probably by a second wife. There is much confusion
in the old records with reference to Elizabeth Jessup, wife of Ed-
ward Jessup, and Elizabeth Jessup, daughter of Edward Jessup.
There is a deed extant, dated June 20th, 1668, recording the pur-
chase by Thomas and Elizabeth Hunt from "Robert Beachem and
Elizabeth, formerly the wife of Edward Jessup."
John Richardson also had three children : Berthia, who mar-
ried John Ketcham ; Mary, who became the wife of Joseph Hadley ;
and Elizabeth, who was espoused to Gabriel Leggett.
Thomas and Elizabeth Hunt are the progenitors of a large
family scattered all over the United States. Gabrie| and Elizabeth
Leggett are the ancestors of the Leggett, Fox and Tiffany families
of West Farms.
Mrs. Richardson afterwards, in or about July, 1683, married
Captain Thomas Williams, and on her death the Richardson inter-
est, consisting of the Legget, Hadley and Ketcham families, in
1695, divided their interests in the patent among themselves.
At the southern end of Hunt's Point, the old "Grange" was
erected, which still stands as a mute memorial of those Colonial
days. This famous old structure, which has withstood the storms
of over two centuries, and in which generations have lived and
died, is fast falling into decay for want of repairs and attention.
For years this picturesque relic of bygone days has been the chief
attraction at Hunt's Point, but its inevitable downfall, when some
factory or dwelling will later take its place, is but a few years
distant.
There is much romance woven about this quaint building.
During the struggle for independence, it was occupied by Thomas
Hunt, the fourth, the grandfather of Montgomery Hunt, a noted
financier, and a Presidential Elector in 1816, who voted for James
HUNT'S POINT
93
Monroe for President, and who was the father of that eminent
jurist, Judge Ward Hunt of the Court of Appeals of the State
and of the Supreme Court of the United States.
Thomas Hunt, the fourth, was a patriot and a staunch ad-
herent of the principles which his great-grandfather had embodied
in the Charter of Liberties in 1683. He was prominent in all
affairs pertaining to the separation of the Colonies from the Mother
Country. He was an influential member of the Committee of
Safety, and was instrumental in organizing the West Farms and
Fordham Company of Minute Men, in which no less than seven
Hunt's Mansion
members of his own family enlisted. During the Revolution he
espoused the American cause. He was the friend and confidant
of Washington, who relied implicitly upon his calm judgment, his
patriotic courage, and his thoro knowledge of the country.
The British frigate Asia was kept at anchor in the Sound near
his home. His estate was devastated and his family driven from
their home. One of the cannon balls, which was embedded in the
west brick wall, w^here it lodged until a few years ago, is now in
the writer's possession.
There appears to be much doubt among historians as to the
94 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
exact age of the old mansion. One historian gives the date of its
erection as 1688, while others give much later years.
Thomas Hunt, Sr., on conveying the "Planting Neck" prop-
erty to his son Thomas in 1698, and again executing a deed in
1718 — shortly after which he died — mentions his new dwelling
and orchard containing three acres.
Traditions are numerous regarding the building of the old
mansion. It is said that when Hunt first began to erect the build-
ing, lumber commanded a very high price, as a result of a heavy
tax which had been levied upon building material, and he decided
to construct his of stone, of which there was an abundance in
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Relics Found in Hunt's Mansion
the neighborhood. Hardly had he put up the west wall, however^
when the tax was removed and he completed the building with
lumber. The girders and rafters used in its construction were
hewn from solid oak, while the laths used in the interior walls,
rough and irregular, were made of strips of ash. The chimneys
were built of the bricks brought over as ballast by the Dutch
traders. The ceilings are low, and the closets with which each
room is supplied open in two parts. The open fireplace in the
living room, without which no old mansion was perfect, is
crumbling away with age and is no longer used. Across the hall-
way is the kitchen. The last occupant replaced the Dutch oven
by a modern stove.
HUNT'S POINT 95
The upper chambers are reached by a narrow but substantial
stairway. The tower, which gives the house the appearance of a
fort, is reached by a spiral stairway from the living room. It is
so narrow that only one person at a time can ascend it. This was
apparently so constructed as a safeguard in emergency, should
admittance be gained within the house by the wily Indians who
frequently made attacks upon it.
For many years the "Grange" was the residence of Joseph
Rodman Drake, the poet who won immortal fame as the author of
"The American Flag" and "Culprit Fay." It was this gifted
young poet who celebrated the rural beauties of The Bronx in some
of his most charming verse:
The Bronx
I sat me down upon a green bank side,
Skirting the smooth edge of a gentle river,
Whose waters seemed unwilling to glide,
Like parting friends, who linger while they sever;
Enforced to go, yet seeming still unready,
Backward they wind their way in many a wistful eddy.
Gray o'er my head the yellow-vested willow
Ruffled its hoary top in the fresh breezes,
Glancing in light, like spray on a green billow,
Or the fine frost work which young winter freezes,.
When first his power in infant pastime trying.
Congeals sad autumn's tears on the dead branches lying.
From rocks around hung the loose ivy dangling.
And in the clefts sumach of liveliest green.
Bright rising-stars the little beach was spangling,
The gold-cap sorrel from his gauzy screen.
Shone like a fairy, enchased and beaded.
Left on some morn, when light flash'd in their eyes unheeded.
The hum-bird shook his sun-touched wings around.
The blue-finch carolled in the still retreat;
The antic squirrel capered on the ground.
Where lichens made a carpet for his feet.
Thro' the transparent waves, the ruddy minkle
Shot up in glimmering sparks, his red fins tiny twinkle.
:96 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
There were the dark cedars, with loose mossy tresses,
White-powder'd dog trees, and stiff hollies flaunting,
Gaudy as rustics in their May-day dresses.
Blue pellorets from purple leaves upslanting
A modest gaze, like eyes of a young maiden
Shining beneath dropp'd lids the evening of her wedding.
The breeze fresh springing from the lips of morn.
Kissing the leaves, and sighing so to lose 'em.
The winding of the merry locust's horn.
The glad sighs spring gushing from the rock's bare bosom,
Sweet sighs, sweet sounds, all sights, all sounds excelling;
Oh ! 'twas a ravishing spot, form'd for a poet's dwelling.
And I did leave thy loveliness, to stand *
Again in the dull world of earthly blindness,
Pain'd with the pressure of unfriendly hands,
Sick of smooth looks, agued with icy kindness;
Left I for this thy shades, where none intrude.
To prison wandering thought and mar sweet solitude.
Yet I will look upon thy face again
My own romantic Bronx, and it will be
A face more pleasant than the face of men.
Thy waves are old companions, I shall see
A well-remembered form in each old tree.
And hear a voice long loved in thy wild minstrelsy.
Joseph Rodman Drake was born in New York City on August
7, 1795, and was a lineal descendant of the Colonial Drakes, set-
tlers of Eastchester. Left an orphan at an early age, he was placed
under the care of a guardian. As a boy he was fond of rowing
his boat among the inlets of the upper East River where he could
steal off by himself unmolested and spend the long summer after-
noons in the shade of some willow tree along the river bank.
The happiest hours of his boyhood days he passed in the
environs of Hunt's Point which gave inspiration to his verses. It
was while he lived in the old "Grange" that he became acquainted
with the daughter of Henry Eckford, the well-known shipbuilder.
He commenced the study of medicine under Dr. Nicholas Romayne
in 1813, received his degree in 1816, and in the same year he mar-
ried Miss Eckford. After a visit to Europe and to New Orleans
in a vain effort to restore his failing health, Drake died of con-
HUNT'S POINT 97
sumption, September 21, 1820. at the age of twenty-five, before
his art as a poet had fully matured.
"There will be less sunshine for me hereafter," said Halleck,.
"now that Joe is gone."
The association of Halleck and Drake in the most intimate
of friendships is the pleasantest incident in the history of Ameri-
can letters. The two poets charmed the town, in 1819, with a
series of humorous satirical verses which they contributed to the
New York Evening Post under the signature of "Croaker & Co."
Judged by what he had begun to do, this young poet was cut
down at the opening of a promising career. Had the author of
"The Culprit Fay," "American Flag," and "The Bronx" lived to
a mature age, the prose fancies of Irving might have found a
counterpart in the verse of Drake, inspired by the enchanted ground
along the banks of the Hudson.
In memory of the intimate friendship that existed between
them, Fitz-Greene Halleck wrote, at the death of Drake, a touching
tribute beginning with these exquisite lines:
Green be the turf above thee,
Friend of my better days;
None knew thee but to love thee,
Nor named thee but to praise.
The author shall never forget his first visit to Hunt's Point
some ten years ago and with what frequency he visited it there-
after. He had seen rural country — much of it — but nothing has
ever taken so firm a hold upon his imagination as that piece of
ground. He never could fathom why it appealed to him so strongly,
perhaps it was the quaint old mansions and shady lanes that lured
him to these scenes; but whatever the cause the spot had cast a
bewitching spell upon him and he passed many a pleasant idle
hour there.
During his rambles thru this isolated region he collected
from old residents many an interesting tale of its early history,
for few regions have been more kindly disposed than this to the
preservation of their traditions.
One of the first points of interest the author was shown was
98
THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
the quaint little Hunt burying ground * in which early settlers
were interred and which is the last resting place of Joseph Rod-
man Drake.
Until Park Commissioner Higgins sent a force of men there
in the summer of 1910 to clear away the over-grown weeds and
brambles and to cement the broken pieces of headstones together,
the repose of the little cemetery was rarely disturbed, and all sum-
mer long the birds and insects raised an unceasing song around the
weed-grown graves of the forgotten dead; the winter spread a
Hunt's Point Cemetery in 1900
blanket of white snow over it which remained until spring came
slowly and reluctantly to this upland resting place.
And so the seasons came and passed, leaving the finger marks
of time and ruin. Yet on a summer's day the little knoll with its
crumbling, weather-beaten old tombstones is really a delightful
spot, and from its summit one can obtain an excellent panoramic
view of the surrounding country.
* The little "God's Acre" is less than half an acre in area and is located
on the summit of a wooded knoll a short distance from the Hunt's Point
Station on the New Rochelle branch of the New York, New Haven & Hartford
Railroad running from Mott Haven to New Rochelle.
HUNT'S POINT
99
Before you are the placid, rippling, flashing waters of the
Sound dotted here and there by the white sails of pleasure craft;
while in the distance rise the dim bluish outlines of Long Island.
Toward the west lies the Metropolitan City of Greater New York
in all its majestic splendor. Silhouetted against the sky are the
outlines of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, St. Luke's Hos-
pital, Columbia Library, and Grant's Tomb as well as the College
of the City of New York and Columbia University with their many
outlying buildings. The populous Bronx stretches northward, and
Grave of Joseph Rodman Drake
the green rolling slopes of Westchester extend toward the east. The
evidences of vigorous life and progress viewed from this little
resting place of those so long dead bring strongly to mind the
achievements of our own era.
But when the wintry clouds scurry over the hill, and the rain
beats down the withered weeds and dark graves, the burying
ground seems weird and desolate. Years of wind and weather
show plainly their imprints on the fifty or more tombstones scat-
tered about, some of which, overspread with a coat of green moss,
and sunken deep into the sod, date back nearly two and a half
centuries.
100 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
Some of these grave stones may have been new and un-
tarnished when Washington's Continentals in their retreat from
Long Island, trudged along the old Colonial road which winds
around the little hillock, and when Lafayette revisited this country
in 1824. The noted French General, after crossing the famous
"Kissing Bridge" which stood to the right of Southern Boulevard
and Lafayette Lane, "paused in silent meditation at the grave
of Joseph Rodman Drake," and then passed thru the narrow
lane which was afterwards widened and named "Lafayette Avenue"
in his honor.
Surrounding one plot in the old cemetery was attached a rusty
iron chain. It has long mouldered away from all but one of its
fastenings to which it still clung creaking and rattling like a dun-
geon fetter as the wind tossed it to and fro. Close by lay a shat-
tered marble shaft which the angry winds had hurled from its
pedestal and tall weeds and rank growth were blotting out its
inscriptions. Decadence due to neglect was manifest everywhere
in this ruined city of the dead.
Facing the entrance of the cemetery from the south stands a
plain marble shaft seven feet high which marks the grave of
Joseph Rodman Drake.
Whatever fitness there may have been in burying Drake in
that particular spot, was lost in the neglect into which his grave
was afterward permitted to fall.
In 1891 the Brownson Literary Union in appreciation of his
genius restored the monument to a semblance of its former neat-
ness. The inscription reads:
Sacred
to the Memory
of
Joseph R. Drake, M.D.
who died Sept. 21st
1820
Aged 25 Years
None knew him but to love him,
Nor named him but to praise.
Renovated by The
Brownson Literary Union
July 25, 1891.
J
HUNT'S POINT
101
The little cemetery is also the final resting place of veterans
of the various Colonial wars and of Continental soldiers, members
of the Hunt, Leggett, Willett and allied families.
Directly opposite the Hunt burying ground is a small en-
Slave Burying Ground
closure in which the slaves of early residents were interred. It is
also said that "Bill," the negro pilot of the wrecked British frigate
Hussar, was buried there :
"After the voice of shrieking winds
And tossing of the angry deep,
In kind embrace of Mother Earth
Resting, like child in quiet sleep."
CHAPTER XI
THE ROMANCE OF BESSIE WARREN
The Daughter of Old Simon, the Landlord of the "King's Arms" — Her Love
for the Dashing Officer Who Was Branded a British Spy — The Maiden
Who Did Not Forget; But Answered the Summons of a Beckoning Spirit
and Was Taken over the Great Beyond.
^HE consolidation of The Bronx with the Greater
City in 1897, brought about many changes. When
the Hunt's Point section was mapped out into regu-
lar city streets, the little "God's Acre" was threat-
ened with destruction, for a street was to be cut
directly thru its center. When this became public a storm
of protests arose from various historical societies and
literary associations to prevent the obliteration of the old
cemetery. One of the staunchest champions for its preservation
was the Hon. James L. Wells, and thru his untiring efforts, com-
bined with other pressure that was brought to bear, the original
street plan was finally altered and the historic spot saved. By way
of compromise the city turned the burial plot into a park and it
has since been known as the Joseph Rodman Drake Park.
Of the many headstones crumbling into decay, there was one
which has been marvelously preserved, and stood as firm and erect
as when first placed there. It was the grave of Elizabeth Willett,
who departed this life the 19th of June, 1772, aged 27 years, three
months — so the inscription on the tombstone averred. Here are the
lines graven beneath her name :
Behold and see, as you pass by;
As you are now, so once was I,
As I am NOW, you soon will be,
Prepare for death and follow me.
Why was so grim an epitaph chosen for her? An involuntary
shudder passes over one as he muses over these lines :
102
THE ROMANCE OF BESSIE WARREN 103
" 'Tis the wink of the eye, 'tis the draught of a breath
From the blossom of health to the paleness of death,
From the gilded saloon to the bier and the shroud —
Oh! Why should the spirit of mortal be proud?"
One wonders whether the Elizabeth Willett resting there could
be the Elizabeth Warren whose romance, full of pathos and sorrow
has been handed down from parent to child for more than a
century, and who is said to be sleeping in an unmarked grave
somewhere in the neighborhood.
Whether Elizabeth Warren really existed in life, or was merely
the fanciful creation of a romancer can not be authentically stated,
as historical research has failed to reveal her identity.
Tradition tells us that when Elizabeth Warren was the belle
of Hunt's Point, that section was considerably smaller than it is
today — there were the meeting house, the blacksmith's shop, the
"King's Arms," and a dozen or two cottages. These were all, but
in those days such pioneer buildings constituted no mean village.
Elizabeth was the daughter of old Simon Warren, the landlord
of the "King's Arms" and she entered her maturity at a time when
the air was overcast with rumors of approaching trouble. Already
the first sign of that unrest which was to culminate in the Revolu-
tion, was plain to all who had eyes to see and ears to hear; and
it was said that there was no better place to observe these symp-
toms than in the tap-room of Warren's inn.
Warren came of that New England stock which had turned
England topsy-turvy, and which was later to suffer severely for it,
tho with ultimate happy results. The English consequently
had no more bitter enemy in all the restless Colony than Simon
Warren. To his place it was, therefore, that young hot-heads of
the neighborhood resorted when they desired to discuss the manner
in which they were to rid themselves of the insufferable yoke of
the Mother Country.
One evening at the close of a stormy day, a mud-bespattered
traveler entered the "King's Arms" and sat long before the fire
with old Simon, while pretty Bessie, the landlord's daughter,
brought them many a foaming tankard to help the talk along.
Now, it never occurred to the hospitable Simon that the polite
stranger he was entertaining was a British spy who had been sent
to feel the pulse of the Colonies. Having discovered that Simon's
104 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
inn was the meeting place for the revolutionary hot-heads, he de-
cided that he couldn't gauge the sentiments of the people better
than at the old inn.
He was young, handsome, learned; and, before he had been
at the "King's Arms" very long, he had captivated Bessie's heart,
and in their rambles thru the lanes of Westchester, he poured
into her innocent heart the witcheries of romance and poetry.
So sentimental were his words and so gallant his actions, that
Bessie looked up to her youthful admirer as a being of a superior
order; and, before she was aware of it, she had blushingly con-
sented to become his wife. On the very day he had asked for
Bessie's hand, came the discovery that he was a British spy. They
found him in the garret with his ear to a crack in the floor listen-
ing to the fiery speeches of the Patriots' Club in the room below.
It was a wild night — outside the inn the great elms tossed
their branches about like giants in agony. The signboard groaned
as it swung before the gate. The fury of the storm kept the
happy Bessie awake long after she had said "Good night," and
retired. It seemed to her that she heard a shot — another, and
another. The wind lulled for a second; and, as she listened, in
the sullen silence there was an awful cry. Then the storm swept
down again and she told herself that it was nothing but a loose
shutter; but her nervous fear worked on her imagination until
she believed a tragedy had occurred.
They told Bessie the next morning that her lover was a spy
and that he had fled like a thief in the night with the dread of
discovery.
The blow came like a thunderclap from a clear sky to Bessie.
It was not long after this that a great shadow darkened her life.
None knew whether she suspected the truth about the disappear-
ance of her handsome lover, but many of the country-folk round
about declared that they had seen a ghastly figure, wandering
nightly over the hillsides, always looking for something it never
found.
Like a beautiful lily cut down, Bessie began visibly to pine
away. Everything possible was done to divert her thoughts and
bring the color back to her pallid cheeks — but all in vain. Some-
thing had gone out of her life that could not be replaced. Then
one day old Simon found his daughter sitting at the window of
her room apparently gazing earnestly out at something. He called
THE ROMANCE OF BESSIE WARREN 105
to her, but therp was no answer; he touched her with a feeling of
awe, for there was that about her that transcended his under-
standing. His eyes filled with tears; he broke away from her
with a great cry. He understood: Bessie had found her lost
lover.
Tradition says that they laid her tenderly in a grove of tall
elms on the hillside where she watched nightly for the return of her
lover :
"In vain her vigils did the maiden keep —
This patriot daughter with her love-lit eyes —
Waiting her absent lover's slow return
Beneath Westchester's mellow evening skies.
Dim figures they of that far-distant strife
Whose swords are sheathed, with all their dent and stain,
This warrior bold, this sweetheart desolate
Wounded to death by war's stern thrust of pain.
Yet still above thy turf-grown bed, sweet girl.
Walk other lovers of this latest day,
Who hear thy tale of passion and of grief
And in their reverance hold thee dear alway.
So shall the memory of thy woman's trust
More beauteous ever grow, as swift time flies,
Like flowers that blossom from the common dust
And shed their fragrance as of Paradise."
CHAPTER XII
THE "NEUTRAL GROUND"
The Indian Cave — Leggett and His Stolen Mare — The Westchester Guides —
Barretto's Point — A Wooden Armchair That Came over with the Pilgrim
Fathers.
HE most powerful of the tribes of aborigines which
inhabited The Bronx were the Weckquaesgeeks. Relics
of their settlements are still to be found along the
shores of the Bronx and the East Rivers. Of these
prehistoric relics, perhaps the most interesting is the
"Indian cave," which is located a short distance east of the Hunt
burying ground and about three hundred yards north of the bridge
crossing the creek. This is said to have been the favorite haunt of
the redmen, and it is there that many treaties were made with
the whites. Close by are the remains of hastily thrown up earth-
works of Lord Howe's Army.
During the dark days of the Revolution, the little settlements
along the East River endured many hardships and privations. With
the retreat of the American army in November, 1776, Westchester
County was overrun with British refugees, known as "Cowboys,"
who committed all sorts of depredations and raids upon the de-
fenseless farmers. Equally rapacious were the American ma-
rauders, called "Skinners," who made frequent raids upon the
loyalist inhabitants of the county. These bands of cowboys and
of skinners carried on their plundering expeditions into the so-
called "Neutral Ground" — a strip of land between the American
outposts under the command of General Heath and those of the.
British under Lieutenant-Colonel James De Lancey.
An interesting story is told about Thomas Leggett, whose
ancestors had been resident proprietors of the "Planting Neck"
section.
Thomas Leggett was the oldest son of Gabriel Leggett, 2nd.
He strongly resented the invasion of the British. He organized a
vigilance committee of Home Guards, as they were called among
106
THE "NEUTRAL GROUND'
107
the young men of the neighborhood, and patrolled the highways.
At the first approach of the enemy they were to give the alarm
and as they were equipped with the latest firearms, they hoped to
drive invaders off their lands. However, they were caught napping.
A party of British refugees got thru their lines unobserved,
and seized Leggett just as he was leading his favorite mare out of
the barn. Being unarmed he had to submit to their outrages.
They carried off the young mare, which had been a gift of his par-
Indian Cave
ents, along with the other property. Leggett was furious ; he threat-
ened to have the marauders hanged; but they only mocked him
as they went on their way. He followed them, however, hoping
to meet some of the Guards, but they all seemed to have vanished.
When the party reached the junction of what are now Tremont
Avenue and Boston Road, two Continental soldiers rose from be-
hind a stone wall and fired. The man leading the horse was shot
and he fell. The mare, finding herself free, took to her heels and
ran home, much to the delight of her owner.
The County of Westchester contributed largely to the Ameri-
can cause. Versed in every hidden path of the region, the West-
108 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
Chester guides were of invaluable service to Washington and his
troops.
The foremost of these patriotic-spirited guides were Abraham
and Michael Dyckman, whose old homestead at King's Bridge Road
(Broadway) and Hawthorne Street, rebuilt at the close of the
Revolution, is still pointed out as the only remaining Dutch farm-
house on the road.
In May, 1780, Michael Dyckman acted as guide to Captain
Gushing of the Massachusetts Line in his attack upon De Lancey's
Corps. The Americans captured more than forty prisoners.
Michael Dyckman figured in an exploit on the 26th of March,
1782, when, with thirteen volunteer horsemen he made an excur-
sion to Morrisania, and took five of De Lancey's corps and five
horses. On their return they were pursued by a party of the
enemy's horse, but when the British came near, the gallant West-
chester Volunteers faced right about, charged vigorously, took
one man prisoner with his horse, and put the rest to flight. The
enemy again appeared on the old Eastctiester Road but dared not
renew the attack,
Abraham Dyckman was mortally wounded on March 4th,
1782, while piloting a body of volunteer horse under Captain
Hunnewell (after whom Honeywell Avenue in West Farms was
subsequently named). The Americans made the attack on the
cantonment of De Lancey's corps just before sunrise, taking the
enemy completely by surprise, killing and wounding many, and
capturing twenty prisoners.. De Lancey himself would perhaps
have been taken prisoner had not the British loyalists fired the
alarm guns and thus caused the Americans to retire. The enemy
quickly started in pursuit but soon fell into an ambuscade set by
Major Woodbridge, who with a party of light infantry had ac-
companied Captain Hunnewell.
The State of New York has erected a granite monument at
Yorktown in memory of the patriotic services of Abraham
Dyckman.
The headquarters of De Lancey's corps was the De Lancey
Block House, which had stood on the site of the Peabody House
(One Hundred and Seventy-ninth Street) , and which was destroyed
in a midnight attack by Aaron Burr in 1779. The De Lancey Pine,
150 feet high, is still one of the historic landmarks of West
Farms.
THE "NEUTRAL GROUND" 109
"Memorial of the fallen great,
The rich and honored line,
Stands high in solitary state,
De Lancey's Ancient Pine."
Andrew Corsa, born in the Rose Hill Manor House which is
situated on the grounds of Fordham University, was the last of
the Westchester guides. He was called upon to act as guide to
Washington and Rochambeau when he was but nineteen years of
.age. One time when the French and American allies were march-
Mayflower Chairs
ing past the Morris mansion opposite Randal's Island and Snake
Hill, where the British were encamped, the enemy's artillery
opened fire. Scared out of his wits, young Corsa dashed for his
life and took refuge behind the old Morrisania mill. Taking a
furtive glance from his hiding place and seeing Washington and
the other generals riding along unperturbed and heedless of any-
thing about them, he hastily spurred on his horse and galloped
back to his place on the line, where he was cheered for his courage.
Andrew Corsa died in 1852, at the age of ninety-one at Bedford
Park, nearly opposite the Rose Hill manor-house.
Blythe Place was a strip of land running to a point somewhat
110
THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
similar to the Hunt property, southwest of the Planting Neck^
and became known in later years as Barretto's Point. The property
was owned by Frangis J. Barretto, who for one year represented
Westchester County in the State Assembly. Blythe the residence
of Barretto, was of Revolutionary date, and when its inside shutters
were closed it was a miniature fortress. Close by stood the resi-
dence of Thomas Leggett, near the Leggett Dock. The Leggetts
originally came from Essex County, England, and traced their
f,^^lltl!t'X''''
.T4*
"Woodside" Mansion
ancestry back to Helmingino Leget, High Sheriff of that county in
1404. As early as 1661, Gabriel Leggett emigrated to this country.
Thru the marriage of Elizabeth Richardson, daughter of John
Richardson, who with Edward Jessup were the first white owners
of that large tract of land, he fell heir to much of the property.
In the field opposite the George Fox mansion, erected about 1848,
on the long slope below the Spofford mansion, is the site of the
Leggett burying ground, where ten bodies of early settlers were
removed, one being that of Mayor Leggett of Westchester.
When the Pilgrim Fathers landed on Plymouth Rock, in 1620,
they brought with them among their household furniture, two
THE "NEUTRAL GROUND" 111
wooden armchairs, which had no historical associations at that
time, but were strong and sturdy and had been of great comfort
to the suffering pioneers; and so, for "old-times' sake" were taken
ashore. Later these chairs were presented to Governor Carvel,
who took a peculiar fancy to them, because they brought back re-
collections of the Old World. For many years the chairs occupied
a prominent place in the library of Charles V. Faile, who lived in
the beautiful "Woodside" mansion which stood on the site now
occupied by the plant of the American Bank Note Company on
Lafayette Avenue.
Woodside was built in 1832 by E. G. Faile an importer of
tea and sugar. He was regarded as a rich man for those days and,
being a lover of horses, he imported fast horses from Argentina at
a cost, according to tradition, of $1,000 each in transportation
alone. He drove to his place of business in Chambers Street every
day and was always at his office by 9 o'clock.
CHAPTER XIII
NATHAN HALE
*I regret That I Have But One Life to Lose for My Country" — Capt. Hale,
the Patriot, Scholar and Soldier, Whose Mission Brought Him Death
But Spread His Name on the Living Pages of History.
HE "LOCUSTS" was another famous Revolutionary
dwelling which stood upon the Faile property near
Hunt's Point Road. It is said that Nathan Hale stopped
here over night while reconnoitering in the neighbor-
hood at the time the British were crossing at Hell Gate
^nd Washington had moved his troops to Harlem Heights. It
was shortly after this incident that Capt. Hale started on his ex-
pediton as spy.
The story of Hale's heroic death, and the memorable words
he uttered when he was standing on the fatal ladder, will ever re-
main an inspiration to American hearts.
Hale was only twenty-one years old when he died. He was
born in Coventry, Connecticut, June 6, 1755, and was the sixth
child of a family of twelve. He entered Yale College in 1770 and
was graduated with the highest honors three years later. After
leaving college he became a teacher in New London, Connecticut,
intending eventually to enter the ministry. Hardly had his career
begun when tidings arrived of the outbreak at Lexington. His
spirit was fired, and at a mass meeting of his townspeople in
Minery's Tavern, he dedicated his life to the cause of American
liberty.
"Let us march immediately, and not lay down our arms until
we have gained our independence!" he said in most ardent tones.
Before the meeting closed, a company had been formed, and at
daybreak it was on its way to Boston.
It was during the siege of Boston that Hale displayed his
great ability as a leader. In consideration of the services rendered
there, he was commissioned a Captain.
During the summer of 1776, the American army suffered most.
112
NATHAN HALE
113
The battle of Long Island had been disastrous, and a hasty retreat
had been made to Manhattan Island. The outlook was discour-
aging. Men were ill and were dying in appalling numbers; deser-
tions were many; the army was being rapidly decimated. Lack
of food and the failure to receive pay were breeding insubordina-
tion, and not more than fourteen thousand men were fit for duty.
Across the East River was a British army of about twenty-five
ir
i^^'
'The Locusts"
thousand seasoned troops, and in the Lower Bay a powerful navy
lay stripped for action.
For the first time since Washington had taken the field, he
was worried and depressed. On every side he saw a choice of
difficulties confronting him. In a letter to the President of Con-
gress, he writes :
"It is evident, the enemy mean to close us on the island of
New York, by taking post in our rear, while the shipping secures
the front, and thus, by cutting off our communication with the
country, oblige us to fight them on their own terms, or surrender
at discretion ; or by a brilliant stroke endeavor to cut this army
114 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
in pieces, and secure the collection of arms and stores, they well
know, we shall not be able soon to replace."
The question was: How could the enemy's plan be most suc-
cessfully opposed and defeated? To Washington there seemed
but one way of discovering Howe's plans, and that was for a
competent person to enter the British lines, and procure intelli-
gence of their designs. The duty of finding a volunteer for this
delicate enterprise was left to Lieutenant Colonel Knowlton, who
had distinguished himself at Bunker Hill, and who had some of the
best fighters under him.
Summoning his officers for a conference. Colonel Knowlton
explained to them the situation, and the vital importance of the
mission. But his plea was met with cold response. The work re-
quired of them, so they argued, was degrading for men of honor
and refinement. Colonel Knowlton was about to give way to
despair when Captain Hale, emaciated from the effects of a recent
illness, entered the room and volunteered to undertake the work
requested by his Commander-in-chief. In vain Hale's brother
officers tried to dissuade him, but no argument deterred him from
his resolve to serve his country.
"I think I owe my country the accomplishment of an object
so important, and so much desired by the Commander of our
armies, and I know of no other mode of obtaining the informa-
tion than by assuming a disguise and passing into the enemy's
camp. I am fully sensible of the consequences of discovery and
capture in such a situation, but for a year I have been attached to
the army and have not rendered any material service. Yet, I am
not influenced by the expectation of promotion or pecuniary re-
ward. I wish to be useful, and every kind of service necessary
for the public good becomes honorable by being necessary. If
my country demands a peculiar service, its claims of the perform-
ance of that service are imperious."
Accompanied by Colonel Knowlton, Captain Hale presented
himself before General Washington and received final instructions.
He started on his fatal expedition from the Roger Morris house,
better known as the Jumel Mansion on Harlem Heights.
Assuming his professional character of schoolmaster, he was
taken down the Sound at night and landed at Great Neck in
Huntington Bay where he boldly plunged into the enemy's lines.
NATHAN HALE 115
Captain Hale was gone about two weeks, and in that time made
the rounds of the entire British camps including New York, of
which the enemy had taken possession on September 15th. The
schoolmaster completed drawings of their defences and jotted down
in Latin the information he had gathered. After completing his
dangerous task. Captain Hale retraced his steps to Huntington,
where a boat was to meet him and convey him to the Connecticut
shore.
According to some writers. Hale was betrayed by a cousin
who recognized him sitting in Widow Chichester's tavern waiting
for his boat; but no proof exists for the authenticity of this re-
port. It is more likely, however, that in the dark he mistook the
boat from the British flagship Halifax, which had been sent to
shore for water, for his own, and did not discover his mistake
until he found himself a prisoner in the hands of the enemy. He
was taken aboard the ship, stripped and searched. The plans and
Latin memoranda were found hidden between the soles of his
shoes. On this evidence, he was adjudged a spy, and immediately
hurried to New York, where he landed on Saturday, September
21st, the day of the great fire which destroyed four hundred
buildings. The prisoner was taken to General Howe's headquar-
ters in the Beekman mansion, Fifty-first Street and First Avenue.
It is said that General Howe had retired to the greenhouse
in the rear of the mansion, when the young patriot was brought
before him. Hale denied nothing. He admitted he was a captain
in Washington's army, and that he had been sent on a secret mis-
sion, and only regretted that he had not been successful.
After a brief parley he was sentenced to be executed at day-
break the next morning. He was taken in charge by the notorious
Cunningham, Provost Marshal of the Royal army, who boasted
of having been responsible for the death of several hundred Fed-
eral prisoners, who were confined in the old sugar-house prison.
Captain Hale was thrust into one of the numerous cells be-
neath the prison, and here his death warrant was read to him by
Cunningham. As the keeper was departing, the young patriot
requested that his arms which had been securely bound might
be released, and that he might have some writing materials and a
light. Cunningham brutally denied him these favors, as he did
also his request for a Bible. Later, however, a young officer of
116
THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
Captain Hale's guard interceded, and a light, pen and paper,
as well as a Bible, were given to the condemned prisoner.
The Captain passed the night writing. One letter he in-
dited to his mother, another to his sister, and a third to his
sweetheart. What happened after he finished his writing we have
no means of knowing, but it is likely that he devoted the rest of his
time to prayer.
Courtesy of D. Appleton & Co.
Nathan Hale Monument in City Hall Park
At daybreak the door of the cell was opened and Cunningham,
accompanied by a file of guards, entered. They found Captain
Hale ready to meet his fate. To Cunningham the patriot handed
the letters which he had written, and as a dying request asked
that they be forwarded to his family. Cunningham read the let-
ters and in Captain Hale's presence destroyed the last message of
a man about to die. When asked later why he had done this, Cun-
ningham said : "I did not want the rebels to know they had a man
who could die with such firmness."
NATHAN HALE
117
The dawn was just breaking when Captain Hale was marched
to the place of execution. Then, while the patriot stood on the
rounds of the ladder, with a noose around his neck, Cunningham
[
■IF
r~\.
V^4t.V'>e^
"^
/^WWy
Page from Memorandum Book
demanded of his victim his last dying speech and confession. It
is said that Captain Hale glanced at him with a look of contempt
but paid no heed to. the man's sneering remarks. Then turning to
the others he impressively uttered the immortal words:
"I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country V*
118 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
The young patriot was buried near the spot where he was
executed. The site was unmarked, but it is supposed to have been
under an apple tree which grew where a statue of him now
stands in City Hall Park. This bronze representation of the
young captain with his arms bound is one of the most pathetic
figures ever wrought by a sculptor.
A few years ago, there was found in a second-hand bookstore
in London a large memorandum book which had evidently be-
longed to some British soldier during the Revolution. The relic
is of great historic value and it is now in the possession of the New
York Historical Society.
One of the entries reads :
"September 22, 1776: A Spy from the Enemy (by his own
full Confession) Apprehended Last night, was this day Executed
at 11 o'clock in front of the Artillery."
This is said to be the only official record of the execution of
Nathan Hale.
CHAPTER XIV
CLASON'S POINT
The Coney Island of The Bronx — Cornell's Neck — Three Clergymen who Hid
in a Farm House in the Days of the Revolution — The Distinction of the
Ferris Mansion at Zerega's Point — The Fate of Anne Hutchinson.
ROSSING the railroad bridge on Westchester Avenue
and Edgewater Road, we pass what was once the beau-
tiful Watson estate and the old Westchester golf
grounds. The property is now in the hands of a real
estate company, which is cutting up the land into build-
ing lots.
One of the most delightful trolley rides thru picturesque
Westchester, is the trip to Clason's Point, called by the Indians
Snakapins. The car passes thru charming country regions
that would never be looked for on the very edge of New York City.
Clason's Point is ideally located on the Sound, and is fast be-
coming famous as a summer amusement resort, having all the
attractions of Coney Island.
Clason's Point is at the extremity of Cornell's Neck, which
was named after its first settler, Thomas Cornell, who came in
1643 from Rhode Island with John Throckmorton and Roger
Williams. Cornell had emigrated to America with his family from
the shire of Essex in England, and had acquired from the Indians
a tract of land lying just east of the Bronx River; here he estab-
lished a plantation, which, with that of his neighbor, Jacob Jans
Stoll, who had purchased Broncksland from the widow of Jonas
Bronck, formed the outpost of civilization in the vicinity of New
Amsterdam along the East River.
During the Indian massacre of 1643, Cornell escaped on a
vessel which had just arrived in the nick of time. He later re-
turned to his estate and received in 1646 from the Dutch authori-
ties in New Amsterdam a patent confirming his purchase, but he
was again forced by the Indians to abandon his property. After
this he never more returned. His daughter Sarah, who had mar-
119
120
THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
ried Thomas Willett, inherited the estate which remained in the
possession of her descendants until 1793. The western section
was sold in that year to Dominick Lynch, a wealthy Irishman;
and the eastern division to Isaac Clason, after whom Clason's Point
received its name.
On the extreme end of Clason's Point stood until recently
the ruins of an ancient farmhouse, once the abode of Thomas and
Sarah Willett. The farmhouse was shelled by Lord Howe's fleet
as the ships passed on their way to Throgg's Neck, October, 1776.
\ ■ . . '"
Watson Mansion
Many relics from this old structure and a part of the original
Cornell house can be found at the Clason's Point Inn.
Close by is the Clason's Point Military Academy, erected as a
residence by Dominick Lynch. The committee that designed the
American flag met here before proceeding to Philadelphia. The
Lynch mansion went successively thru the hands of the Ludlow
family, the Schieffelins, and finally to the Christian Brothers of
the Catholic Church who converted it into the Sacred Heart
Academy and later gave it its present name.
The quaint old homestead of the Wilkins family is located at
Screven's Point, which lies south of Unionport. The point was
named after John Screven, a great-nephew by marriage of the
CLASON'S POINT
121
Honorable Gouverneur Morris. His father-in-law was Gouverneur
Morris Wilkins, son of the Reverend Isaac Wilkins, who married
Isabella Morris, the sister of the statesman and half-sister of
Lewis Morris, the Signer.
The old Wilkins farmhouse famed as the building in a secret
chamber of which three loyalist clergymen. Rev. Myles Cooper,
president of King's College, Rev. Chandler of New Jersey and Rev.
Samuel Seabury, rector of Saint Peter's Church in Westchester,
Ferris Mansion, Zerega's Point
concealed themselves during the early days of the Revolution, is
still standing. Food and drink were lowered to these men thru
a hidden trap door. They finally escaped on the 1st of September,
1776, under cover of darkness to Long Island.
The ground in this vicinity was once occupied by the Siwanoy
Indians who had erected a fortified castle here, whence the name
"Castle Hill Neck." Adrien Block, in his voyage of discovery in
1614, spoke of seeing big Indian wigwams there. Castle Hill
Neck is an elevated tract of land, sixty feet above the sea level,
and is situated east of Cornell's Neck, between Wilkin's, or Pugsley,
and Westchester Creeks. It was for some time the property of the
122 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
Cromwells, descendants of John Cromwell, a nephew of the Lord
Protector Oliver, and was consequently known as Cromwell's Neck.
In 1685 John and Elizabeth Cromwell exchanged with Thomas
Hunt of Grove Farm six acres of meadow land for eight acres of
upland situated upon Castle Neck. Above Jerome Avenue and
One Hundred Sixty-fifth Street is the rapidly decaying Croniwell
house. Nearby is Cromwell's Creek which served to propel the
mill of James Cromwell, born in 1752.
The oldest house in The Bronx is said to be the Ferris Mansion
at Zerega's Point. This old relic claims birth in 1687 and was
owned by Josiah Hunt, the son of Thomas Hunt, the patentee of
Hunt's Point. The Grove Farm of Thomas Hunt was sold in
1760 to Josiah Cousten, who in turn sold it fifteen years later to
John Ferris, whose ancestor had received in 1667 a patent from
Governor Nicolls for a portion of Westchester, west of Annes
Hoeck. At the extreme end of this point stands "Island Hall," the
stately stone Zerega Mansion, dating from 1823.
In the summer of 1642, the region of the east side of the
Borough, known as Pelham Neck, was settled by Anne Hutchinson,
a widow with several children, and Thomas Collins, her son-in-law,
and his family. They were of English stock and had fled from
New England to escape the religious persecution of the Puritans.
They were the next white settlers of the Borough after Jonas
Bronck.
Mrs. Anne Hutchinson came with her husband and their
children from Lincolnshire, England, to Massachusetts Bay Colony
on September 18, 1634. She was a woman of kind heart, of fervent
religious spirit, and of unusual intellectual force, and ability so
that she was characterized by a contemporary, "The masterpiece of
woman's wit." Her doctrine that those who possess faith are
above law, gained wide support thruout the Colony. The
Puritans, fearing that such preaching would lead to licentiousness,
as it later did in the case of Captain John Underbill who was found
guilty of adultery, banished Mrs. Hutchinson and her adherents.
In 1638 she withdrew with her family and followers to Roger
Williams's settlement on the Isle of Aquidneck (now Rhode Island) ,
where they founded Portsmouth.
Upon the death of her husband, four years later, Mrs. Hutch-
inson and her party came to Flushing, Long Island, whence after a
brief stay she repaired to Pelham Neck. This region was for a time
CLASON'S POINT 123
known as "Annes Hoeck," or Ann's Neck. The Hutchinson River
perpetuates her name. Here they erected a cabin upon the rising
ground of the famous "Split Rock."
A few months later, Throgg's Neck (named by the Indians
Quinnahung) , sometimes styled in old records "Frog's Point,"
was settled by John Throckmorton (or Throgmorton) and thirty-
five Baptist families, who, like the Hutchinsons, had been driven
from Rhode Island because of religious persecution. In granting
Split Rock, Pelham Bay Park
them a patent in October, 1643, the Dutch authorities in New
Amsterdam referred to it as Vriedelandt, or "Land of peace."
In 1643 the Weckquaesgeek Indians, fleeing before a raid of
their dreaded enemies, the Mohawks of the north, abandoned their
village in Westchester County and came in a miserable condition
to Pavonia on Manhattan Island. Director Kieft, perhaps seeing
an opportunity of obtaining easy possession of the lands inhabited
by the Indians, ordered that they be surprised at night and merci-
lessly massacred. This cruel act aroused the neighboring tribes to
such implacable fury that they wildly set about to exterminate all
who intruded upon their hunting grounds. Westchester was laid
w^ste.
124
THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
A party of Indians came to Mrs. Hutchinson on a friendly
visit, as was their wont. After discoursing with her they asked
that she tie up her dogs lest they bite. She did not suspect the
Indians' guile and granted their request; whereupon they gave
vent to the rancor against the whites burning in their hearts. They
brutally butchered Mrs. Hutchinson and her family, sparing only
her eight-year-old daughter Frances, whom they took captive.
Another daughter, just as she was about to escape over a hedge,
was seized by the hair and heartlessly put to death. In all, sixteen
persons were murdered, while Throckmorton and his followers
Massacre of Anne Hutchinson Colony
escaped on a vessel which had just then so opportunely arrived.
The Indians then placed all the cattle into the houses and applied
the torch to them.
Mrs. Hutchinson's old Puritan acquaintance took her tragic
death as evidences of Divine wrath against the woman's heresies.
One of them, remarking that outrages by the Indians were rare,
says, "God's hand is the more apparently seen herein to pick out
this woeful woman to make her an unheard-of heavy example of
their cruelty above others."
Four years after the massacre, a treaty of peace was concluded
between the Dutch and the Indians, one of the conditions of which
was that Mrs. Hutchinson's daughter be surrendered and sent to
her friends in Boston. Long association with the Indians had en-
deared them to her; she had forgotten her own language, and she
CLASON'S POINT 125
was loath to forsake them. After much pleading she was finally
prevailed upon to leave them. She became reconciled, married
John Cole in 1651, and left descendants.
In commemoration of Anne Hutchinson's massacre the Daugh-
ters of American Dames have erected a bronze tablet near the
spot where the intrepid Colonists lost their lives, which bears this
inscription :
Anne Hutchinson, banished from the Massachusetts colony
in 1638 because of her devotion to religious liberty.
This courageous woman sought freedom from persecution
in New Netherland.
Near this rock in 1643 she and her household were massacred
by Indians.
CHAPTER XV
THROGG'S NECK
"The Lexington of Westchester" — How American Patriots Repulsed the
' Enemy at Throgg's Neck — Colonel John Glover, the Hero of Pell's Point,
Who Saved Washington from Disastrous Defeat — "Spy Oak," from Whose
branches a Red-Coat was Hanged.
T the extreme end of Throgg's Neck is Fort Schuyler^
one of "Uncle Sam's" fortifications on Long Island
Sound. The fort was begun in 1833 and completed in
1856. It was equipped with a battery of twelve-inch
mortars, as well as several disappearing guns. On
the opposite shore is Fort Totten, on Willett's Point, the Torpedo
and Submarine Training Station.
The fort has proved to be too old fashioned to be of further
use, and reliance for attack and defence has been placed in the
more modern fortifications at the eastern entrance of the Sound
at Fisher's Island. In the summer of 1911 the garrison was with-
drawn from Fort Schuyler, and the fort was placed in charge of a
sergeant and a small body of men.
Near Cherry Point, on Throgg's Neck, was the palatial resi-
dence of Governor E. D. Morgan.
Almost every inch of ground hereabouts has its historic points.
During the Revolution it was the hotbed of Tories and the center
of many a bloody conflict.
Following the repulse of General Howe's formidable force at
the battle of Harlem Heights on September 16th, 1776, Washing-
ton withdrew his men to the commanding hills on the upper end of
Manhattan Island, where he believed that in the event of a renewal
of hostilities he would be better equipped to defend his position
with his small force.
While Washington was busy fortifying Fort Washington,
Howe conceived the idea that by getting in the rear of the Ameri-
can army and cutting ofi" their supplies, which were chiefly derived
from the east, he would have them at his mercy and thus bring
the rebellion to a summary end.
126
THROGG'S NECK 12T
Detaching part of the troops from the main army, Howe sent
them over to the east side of Harlem, where they were put aboard
boats and transported to Throgg's Neck. Simultaneously with
this movement a squadron of ships filled with another army were
sent up the Hudson River, under cover of darkness, with instruc-
tions to cooperate with the Throgg's Neck division, and by a com-
bined rear attack drive the rebels back to Manhattan.
To prevent Washington from discovering the ruse, Howe kept
a large force in front of the American trenches. Theoretically,
the coup Howe had planned was worthy of his genius, but, before
it could be put into operation Washington had moved his force to
White Plains.
Early in the morning of October 12, 1776, four thousand
British troops under General Howe landed with artillery at
Throgg's Neck, but, unfortunately for them, their approach had
been observed by General Heath, who, quick to perceive the signifi-
cance of this move lost no time in dispatching a courier with the
intelligence to General Washington. An alarm was immediately
sounded and all available troops were rushed to the scene in order
to check the enemy's advance.
Throgg's Neck was separated from the mainland by a narrow
creek and a marsh, and, at high tide, was surrounded by water. A.
bridge connecting with an old causeway had to be crossed to reach
the mainland.
Before the enemy reached this spot the American patriots
had ripped up the planking of the bridge and a company of Colonel
Hand's picked Riflemen had posted themselves on the opposite side
of the causeway and began to pour a hot fire into the advancing
ranks. They were soon reinforced by Colonel Prescott, of Bunker
Hill fame, with his regiment, and Lieutenant Bryant of the Artil-
lery with a three-pounder.
Checked at this pass, the British moved toward the head of
the creek ; here, too, they found the Americans in possession of the
ford. Again and again they attempted to cross, but the unerring
aim of the American riflemen was so deadly and persistent that
they finally abandoned the idea of crossing. This repulse was
known as the "Lexington of Westchester." It took place at the
bridge where today the trolley crosses Westchester Creek just east
of Westchester Square.
When Washington arrived some hours later the British had
128 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
returned to the Neck, and, after throwing up earthworks, encamped.
For six days Howe's Army remained inactive at Throgg's Neck.
When he finally got his army in motion, the Americans had with-
drawn to White Plains, a more strategic position. Howe's inac-
tivity had lost him a golden opportunity.
On the 14th of October the Americans held a council of war
at Kingsbridge, at the quarters of General Lee, who arrived that
day from the South.
It was decided that it would be impracticable to blockade the
Sound or even the North River. The only method of preventing
the British from cutting off" Washington's communication with the
country was an immediate northern movement towards the strong
grounds in the upper part of Westchester County. Fort Wash-
ington, however, in compliance with the wishes of the Continental
Congress, was to be maintained as long as possible.
On the 18th the whole British army was in motion. Lord
Howe re-embarked part of his troops in flatboats, crossed East-
chester Bay, and landed on Pell's Point (now Pelham Bay Park)
at the north of the Hutchinson River. Here he was joined in a
few hours by the main body, and proceeded thru the manor of
Pelham, still with the intention of getting above Washington's
Army. Washington, believing that Howe was planning an attack
upon Morrisania, where the Americans had a strong outpost, or-
dered Heath and his troops to that position to watch the enemy;
thus leaving the British free to capture and destroy the scattered
American army. But in their march the British were waylaid
and harassed from behind stone walls by the brigade under the
command of Colonel John Glover.
This brigade was composed of the regiments of Colonels Shep-
ard. Read and Baldwin, as well as his own Marblehead, Massachu-
setts, regiment which had played so important a part in skillfully
manning and rowing the boats in the retreat from Long Island,
and later when Washington took his army across the Delaware and
surprised the Hessians at Trenton. Colonel Glover's regiment was
composed almost wholly of fishermen, and was therefore styled
the "Amphibious Regiment." They were hardy, adroit and
weather-proof; fresh and full of spirit; and, as they marched
briskly along the line with alert and cheery aspect, they inspired
the other soldiers with enthusiasm.
The British made their landing under cover of darkness.
THROGG'S NECK ' 129
When Glover discovered them he immediately notified Lee at Valen-
tine's Hill; but receiving neither orders nor support, he set about
to check the British on his own account with his meager brigade.
He stationed the various regiments under his command behind stone
fences along either side of the road leading to City Island. He
posted his own regiment on the Heights overlooking the Hutchin-
son River, under command of Captain Curtis.
As the British advance guard came up to the City Island Road,
Glover met them with an advance guard of forty men. After
an interchange of shots, the patriots, outnumbered by the enemy,
retreated along the road. The British pursued them but were soon
routed by Read's regiment which opened fire upon them from be-
hind a stone fence. The enemy returned with a larger force, but
were again repulsed by Read's men. Read now withdrew beyond
Shepard's regiment on the opposite side of the road.
The British pursued the retiring regiment in solid columns,
but were thrown into confusion by Shepard's men who poured
several volleys upon the enemy from behind the stone fence. The
Americans withdrew behind Baldwin's regiment. They kept up
their sharp fire upon the British, but were finally compelled to re-
treat by the overwhelming numbers of the enemy. The Battle of
Pell's Point kept up for practically all day, but the handful of
Americans were no match for the British forces. The Americans
lost only six killed and thirteen wounded; while the British loss
was in the neighborhood of one thousand killed and wounded.
"After fighting all day without victuals or drink," writes Col.
Glover, "we lay as a picquet all night, the heavens over us and
the earth under us, which was all we had, after having left our
baggage at the old encampment we left in the morning."
The next day they were forced to continue the retreat until
they reached Mile Square, west of the Bronx River. Their hunger
and fatigue were offset by the feeling that they had done a valuable
service to their country by delaying Howe and enabling Wash-
ington to reach White Plains. Howe reached the coveted place
at last but it was too late for his purpose of intercepting Washing-
ton in his march northward. The gallantry of Glover and his men
saved .the day.
Both Washington and General Lee issued public thanks to
Col. Glover and the officers and soldiers who were with him in this
skirmish, for their merit and good behavior.
130 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
Mile Square, Oct. 19, 1776.
Gen'l Lee returns his warmest thanks to Colonel Glover and the Brigade
under his command, not only for their gallant behaviour yesterday, but for
their prudent, cool, orderly and soldierly conduct in all respects. , . ."
Washington sent the following:
General Orders
Headquarters, Oct. 21, 1776.
The hurried situation of the General the last tw^o days having prevented
him from paying that attention to Colonel Glover and the officers and soldiers
who were with him in the skirmish on Friday last, their merit and good
behavior deserved, he flatters himself that his thanks tho delayed will
nevertheless be acceptable to them as they are offered with great sincerity
and cordiality.
On a gigantic boulder near the new bridge that spans the
waters to City Island a fitting memorial was erected by the Bronx
Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The tablet
reads :
GLOVER'S ROCK
In Memory of the 550 Patriots
WHO, LED BY COL. JOHN GlOVER, HELD
Gen. Howe's Army in check at the
BATTLE OF PELL'S POINT
October 18, 1776,
Thus aiding Washington in his
Retreat to White Plains
fame is the perfume of heroic deeds
erected by BRONX CHAPTER OF MOUNT VERNON, N. Y.
daughters of THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
OCTOBER 18, 1901.
On Pelham Road, midway between Westchester and Pelham,
stands a mammoth oak tree that has been known since the days
of the Continental army as "Spy Oak," said to be the largest of
its kind east of the Rockies.
It is related that from one of its lower branches soldiers of
George Washington's forces hanged a British red-coat they had
•caught on a spying expedition, and even to this day it is averred
that his spirit patrols the roadway near the scene of his ignomini-
THROGG'S NECK
131
ous death at frequent intervals, and that his spectral form, its
haughty carriage made more impressive by its military garb of
long coat and heavy cape, may be seen particularly on nights when
the moon is full and unhidden.
Standing well back from Pelham Road, north of the "Spy
v'-I ^-
Spy Oak, Pelham Road
Oak" stands the quaint Paul homestead, said to have been built
during the early days of the Revolution.
Between Throgg's Neck and City Island are several islets,
bared at low tide, upon one of which is a Government lighthouse.
These are called the "Devil's Stepping Stones."
Among the families having large estates on Throgg's Neck are
the Havemeyers, the Huntingtons, the Morrises, the Browns, the
Adees, the Costers, the Turnbulls, and the Jacksons. Upon the
Huntington estate is a magnificent cedar of Lebanon, planted hy
132
THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
Philip Livingston, about 1790. William H. Harrison, the ninth
President of the United States, once had a temporary residence on
Throgg's Neck.
Paul Homestead
CHAPTER XVI
CITY ISLAND AND EASTCHESTER
The Blacksmith Who Refused to Shoe a Horse on Sunday — Scenes That Figure
in the Fight for Independence — President John Adams in The Bronx.
ilTY ISLAND is a very delightful village, lying off Rod-
man's Neck, and comprises 230 acres. Until recently
it was connected with the mainland with a wooden
bridge, which originally spanned the Harlem River,
and some of the timbers of which had been taken from
the old frigate North Carolina. This antique bridge was replaced
by the present steel structure, which cost $200,000, erected in 1898,
and opened to the public July 4th, 1901,
In the early days City Island was known as Minnewits, or
Great Minnefords, Island, probably after Peter Minuits, the Dutch
Governor and purchaser of Manhattan Island. It was a part of
Pelham Manor, and was purchased from Thomas Pell by John
Smith of Brooklyn. On June 19, 1761, the island came into the
possession of Benjamin Palmer, who built the Free Bridge at
Spuyten Duyvil.
In 1761 the inhabitants of the island launched a scheme to
build a city which would surpass New York — whence the name
City Island. Several ferries were established to ply between
the mainland and the island in order to further this project. The
plan was checked by the Revolution, but was revived in 1790.
The island was cut up into 4,500 lots of one hundred by twenty-five
feet, which were sold at ten pounds each. In 1818 and in 1819
Nicholas Haight, Joshua Hustace and George W. Horton owned
nearly all of the island and Rodman's Neck.
City Island is said to have been the first place in America
where oyster culture was commenced. The old wooden bridge was
always crowded on Sunday afternoon with anglers who found
fishing in the water below very fruitful. City Island is also noted
as a boat-building resort, and a laying-up place for racing craft,
particularly of cup defenders of international fame.
133
134
THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
Many residents of Manhattan are attracted to City Island
on Sundays and holidays by the facilities for bathing, rowing and
fishing. Many city dwellers spend the summer on the island in
tents, while numerous clubs have their summer camps here.
City Island is reached by train on the Suburban branch of the
New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad to Bartow Sta-
tion, Up to very recently there was an old fashioned bob-tailed
Old City Island Bridge
horsecar which took passengers from the railroad station to Mar-
shall's Corners at the end of Rodman's Neck for one fare of five
cents, and to the end of the island, for another. This was replaced
in 1910 by an electric monorail, which has not proved very suc-
cessful.
To the east of City Island lies Hart's Island, at one time owned
by Oliver De Lancey, and later it passed into the possession of the
Haights and Rodmans, then into the hands of John Hunter, and
finally into the City of New York. To the north is High Island,
CITY ISLAND AND EASTCHESTER 135
and nearby are several rocky islets, called Rat Island, the Chim-
ney Sweeps, the Blauzes and Goose Island.
One of the landmarks of City Island is the Horton homestead,
the oldest house on the island. Most of City Island was once com-
prised of the Horton Farm.
The "Macedonian Hotel" is another landmark which attracts
wide attention. It is supposed to have been formed from part
of the hulk of the English frigate Macedonian, which had been
captured in the War of 1812 by Commodore Decatur.
The inscription reads: This house is the remains of the Eng-
lish Frigate "Macedonian," captured on Sunday, October 25th,
1812, by the United States Frigate "United States" commanded
by Capt. Stephen Decatur, U. S. N. The action ivas fought in
Lat. 2U° N., Long. 29° 30' W., that is about 600 miles N. W. of the
Cape de Verde Islands off the W. coast of Africa and towed to
Cowbay in 187 Jf.
Mr. Stephen Jenkins in his Story of The Bronx cites a state-
ment from the United States Naval Academy, by Park Benjamin,
to the effect that, while the house is not the remains of the original
British Macedonian, it is the remains of a second ship of that
name, launched at Gosport, Virginia, in 1836, rebuilt at Brooklyn
in 1852, and broken up in 1874, at Cow Bay, Long Island.
The picturesque old town of Eastchester with its ancient shade
trees and interesting old houses, some of which date back to Col-
onial days, is undeniably rich in historic memories. On the site
of the old Joseph Morgan residence was once located a large In-
dian settlement. Evidences of Indian occupation are found to this
day in the forms of arrow-heads, shell heaps and stone hatchets.
The Siwanoys had a fort on the hill directly in back of the Fowler
ijiansion. On this hill the early settlers erected in 1675, a "Gen-
eral Fort" for mutual protection. On the right of the road may
be seen Odell's barns dating from Revolutionary days.
Eastchester was included in Pell's purchase of 1654. Pell
granted, on June 24, 1664, to James Eustis, Philip Pinckney, John
Tompkins, Moses Hoit, Samuel Drake, Andrew Ward, Walter Lan-
caster, Nathaniel Tompkins, and Samuel Ward, "to the number of
ten families, to settle down at Hutchinson's, that is where the house
stood at the meadows and uplands, to Hutchinson's River." These
ten families had migrated hither from Fairfield, Connecticut. The
settlement became known as the "Ten Farms," and later. East-
136 THE BOROUGk OF THE BRONX
Chester. In 1666 the settlers purchased more land from the In-
dians. Among the sachems who signed the deed was Annhooke,*
the slayer of Mrs. Anne Hutchinson. On March 9th, 1667, Gov-
ernor Nicolls granted the settlers a confirmatory patent.
The famous old St. Paul's Church has an interesting past.
It was built in 1765 to replace one erected in 1699 which had been
destroyed by fire. During the Revolution, St. Paul's was used by
the British at various times as a stable and as a hospital. After
the war it served as a Court of Justice, and Aaron Burr, who
fought Alexander Hamilton in a duel, pleaded many cases here.
The Church-yard contains some 6,000 bodies, the oldest head-stone
being that of "M. V. D." who died February 15, 1704. Some of
the prominent families interred there are — Pinckneys, Fowlers,
Drakes, Hunts, Odells, Underbills, Valentines, Sherwoods and
others as famous.
The lawn opposite St. Paul's was used as the Colonial village
green and here also stood the first church. It is said that between
the group of locust trees, still standing, were the village stocks
where off'enders were punished.
The Vincent-Halsey House on Columbia Avenue is another
old landmark around which is woven many an interesting tale.
The Vincents were the village blacksmiths, and, being devout
Christians would under no circumstances shoe a horse on Sunday.
Adherence to this principle caused the death of one of the black-
smiths, Gilbert Vincent. A French officer in the Continental army
who had been despatched on some important business lost a shoe
of his spirited mount as he was passing thru the village. The
officer led the horse to the Vincents' smithery but he was refused
the shoe on the ground that such labor on the Sabbath was a
desecration. Impatient to get away, and angered at what he con-
sidered unpatriotic obstinacy and unfriendliness to the cause, the
officer drew his sword and struck the pious blacksmith to the
ground. This cold-blooded murder so incensed Elijah Vincent, the
brother of the slain man, that he promptly obtained a commission
in the British army and became the most vindictive and uncom-
promising enemy the patriots had in the whole territory. Nothing
* It was customary among the Indians for the chief of the tribe to assume
the. name of some noted victim of his prowess in order to appease the dead
and to become endowed with the nobler qualities of the slain.
CITY ISLAND AND EASTCHESTER
137
was considered safe from him and his associates, not even the
old bell, the Bible and the prayer-book which had been presented
to St. Paul's Church by Queen Anne. To safeguard these from the
profaning hands of the marauding soldiery, which held nothing
sacred, they were buried in the ground adjoining the edifice, where
they remained until the close of the war. The Vincents moved
St. Paul's Church, Eastchester
away when the British evacuated New York, and Col. W. S. Smith
of the thirteenth Massachusetts Regiment, a distinguished officer
of the Revolution and an aide of the staff of Washington, moved
into the mansion.
Col. Smith was a son-in-law of John Adams, and had been
secretary of the American legation at London when his father-in-
law served there as the first minister accredited to the Court of
St. James by the young Republic. Subsequently he was United
States Marshal for New York, a member of Congress from this
138 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
city, from 1813 to 1816, President of the New York Order of
the Cincinnati.
The details of the celebrated Miranda expedition, in which he
and his son were involved and which caused a profound stir in the
country at the time, it is believed, were hatched in the Halsey
mansion while he was its tenant, — altho on this point there is
some doubt among historians.
With the outbreak of yellow fever in Philadelphia, then the
nation's capital. President Adams and his family accepted the in-
vitation of Col. Smith and his wife, Abigail Adams, to make their
home with them in the Bronx mansion. During this period the
Halsey homestead, being the residence and office of the country's
Chief Executive, was the center of the new Republic's official and
social life. In the old library of the mansion, which was assigned
to the President as an office, he dictated the policy of the Govern-
ment and there indited a number of important papers. Believing
that the fever which destroyed thousands in Philadelphia would
not abate sufficiently to make it safe for him to venture there for
the opening of Congress, he urged that the session be held in New
York. It would be more convenient for him, he said, to keep in
touch with its deliberations from the Halsey mansion than would
be possible if the session convened in the City of Brotherly Love.
The following is one of his letters to Secretary of State Pickering,
directing him how to forward the mails to him at the mansion :
East Chester, 12th of October, 1797.
To T. Pickering, Sec. of State.
Dear Sir: I arrived here at Col. Smith's last night with my family and
I shall make this house my home until we can go to Philadelphia with
safety. ... If you address your letters to me at East Chester and
recommend them to the care of my son, Charles Adams, Esq., at New York,
I shall get them without much loss of time, but if a mail could be made up
for East Chester they might come sooner. I know not whether this can be
done without appointing a postmaster at this place, and I know of no one
to recommend. I shall divide my time between New York and East Chester
till the meeting of Congress.
With great regards, etc.
John Adams.
By the friends of the Adams family it was considered a
singular coincidence that years after they had left the Halsey
mansion the body of George Washington Adams, son of President
CITY ISLAND AND EASTCHESTER
139
John Quincy Adams and grandson of President John Adams, should
have drifted ashore on the Eastchester Creek, close to the old
manse, following a drowning accident in 1829. In appreciation
of the good offices of one of the wardens of St. Paul's Church who
recovered the body, Mrs. John Quincy Adams, mother of the
youth, presented a silver loving-cup to the church, which treasures
it to this day as among its most precious heirlooms.
Of late years the Halsey mansion has been the subject of in-
creasing patriotic interest to historians and students of Colonial
Old Reid's Mill, Eastchester
times, in corresponding proportion to the steady disappearance of
those buildings that have Revolutionary associations.
Another notable landmark in Eastchester was the old Guion
inn, a Revolutionary tavern erected in 1720 where Washington once
stopped and mentioned in his diary that the roads were "uncom-
monly rough and stony." It was here that Governor George Clin-
ton assembled the State Council after the evacuation of New York.
Among the existing relics of the past in Eastchester are the old
Crawford house, opposite St. Paul's Church, an ancient tavern of
Revolutionary days ; the old Groshon residence once the home of a
Huguenot family, "Grosjean;" Old Point Comfort, a well-known
140 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
inn of early days, recently rebuilt; and the antique Reid home-
stead, at the foot of Mill Lane, Eastchester Creek, opposite the
site of the old Reid's mill, which was erected in 1739, by Thomas
Shute and Joseph Stanton, and which came into the possession of
John Reid, a Scotchman.
Eastchester, tho still a rural community, is falling in line
with the development of the other sections of the Borough. The
Boston Post Road is being made into a State road ; while the Bos-
ton and Westchester Railroad will help materially to bring about
a rapid growth of the town. Crossing the Boston Post Road, is
Rattlesnake Brook, which bears testimony to the abundance of
reptiles in this region. The stream is dammed to the east of the
road, forming Holler's Pond, from which ice is cut to supply the
neighborhood. About a mile from the Boston Road there is a
lane leading to the vast stretches of salt meadows of Eastchester
Creek.
CHAPTER XVII
WEST FARMS
The Homes of Notable Men: Foxhurst, Brightside, Sunnyside — The Quaint
Presbyterian Church at the Graves Where Heroes Lie Buried — The Draft
Riots During the Civil War — "Wishing Rock," Where the Algonquin
Braves Wooed the Fair Stockbridge Maids.
iHE town of West Farms was formed from the town
of Westchester, by an Act of Assembly May 13th, 1846.
It includes the following villages: Fordham, Williams-
bridge, Tremont, Fairmount, Belmont, Monterey,
Mount Eden, Mount Hope, and Woodstock. Morrisania
was originally a part of West Farms, but on December 7, 1855, it
was formed into a separate township. In 1874, it was annexed to
New York City. All the villages now form a part of the Twenty-
third and Twenty-fourth Wards.
^ Many quaint and interesting memories linger about West
Farms of the old days. The old Hunt inn, better known as the
"Fox Farm House," which stood on the west side of West Farms
Road near One Hundred Sixty-seventh Street was until destroyed
by lire on Easter Sunday, 1892, one of the oldest and most pic-
turesque dwellings in West Farms, if not in the Borough. Many
interesting relics were found in its walls. It was erected in 1666
and stood on the large tract of land owned by Edward Jessup and
John Richardson, whose daughters married Thomas Hunt, Jr., and
Gabriel Leggett, respectively.
During the American Revolution the old inn was the rendez-
vous for British officers. Colonel James De Lancey, commander
of the Loyalists in Westchester, frequently invited his brother
officers over from Queens County for a fox hunt. The chase being
started at the junction of West Farms and Westchester turnpike
and the locality became known as "Fox Corners."
Foxhurst was another relic of bygone days. This splendid
old residence stood at the junction of West Farms Road and West-
chester Avenue, and w^as erected seventy-two years ago by William
141
142
THE BOROUGH OP THE BRONX
W. Fox, president of the first gas company in America, who also
was one of the first Croton Water Commissioners appointed by
Governor Macy.
On Westchester Avenue opposite Foxhurst Mansion, stood
Brightside, the country seat of the late Colonel Hoe, the inventor
of the "Hoe Lightning or Rotary Press." Richard March Hoe was
born in New York, September 12, 1812. His father, Robert Hoe,
came to New York from Lancashire, England, in 1803. A year
or so later he settled in Westchester County and married Rachel,
Old Hunt Inn
daughter of Matthew Smith of North Salem, Westchester Coynty,
New York. With his brothers-in-law, Peter and Mathew Smith,
he took up the manufacture of a hand printing press, and in 1833,
became sole proprietor. A skilful mechanic, he constructed the
original Hoe Press, and was, it is thought, the earliest American
machinist to utilize steam as a motive power in his plant.
Upon the death of Robert Hoe, in 1833, his son, Richard March
Hoe, at the age of twenty-one, became the senior partner of the
firm. He devised numerous ingenious improvements in the presses
and in 1837 he also patented a fine quality of steel saws, the pro-
duction of which became part of their business. In 1847 he pat-
ented his lightning press, so called because of the rapidity of its
WEST FARMS 143^
motions. Afterwards he invented the web perfecting press which
prints on both sides and includes a complicated apparatus for cut-
ting and folding the sheet. This machine revolutionized the art of
newspaper printing and permits the issuing of a "special extra"
within a few minutes after the occurrence of an extraordinary-
event. The present Hoe Octuple Press prints 464 miles of news-
paper per hour. The factory on Grand Street, New York, is said
to be the largest printing works in the world.
During the summer months Colonel Hoe repaired to his
country seat in West Farms, where he owned an estate of sixteen
acres, which he styled Brightside. Here he indulged his
fancy for blooded cattle. The house, which was situated on the
southeast corner of Westchester Turnpike and the road to Hunt's
Point, now known as Southern Boulevard, was razed in 1908 to
make room for suburban improvements. Col. Richard March Hoe
died suddenly at Florence, Italy, June 7, 1886.
Peter Hoe, nephew of R. M. Hoe, who added various improve-
ments to the original Hoe printing press, also had his home,
Sunnyside, in The Bronx. It was situated across Hunt's Point
Road and was one of the finest residences in the Borough.
At the junction of Boston Road and Minford Place is the site
of che "Spy House." In this little building, it is said, lived an
American spy, who played in the neighborhood a part similar to
that of Cooper's spy at Mamaroneck.
At Bryant Avenue and One Hundred Eightieth Street is the
West Farms Presbyterian Church, built in 1815. During the
Colonial and the Revolutionary periods of the Presbyterians in the
lower part of Westchester County had no church of their own.
This was considered by the New York Presbytery a good field for
missionary work. Between the years 1718 and 1721 William Ten-
nant, a Presbyterian clergyman, attempted to evangelize this sec-
tion. In 1814 the Rev. Isaac Lewis divided his time between West
Farms and New Rochelle. In the following year a church edifice
was erected; the congregation was fully organized by the election
of oflficers on November 5, 1818. By means of a legacy left to the
church by Charles Bathgate Beck, in 1903, a new stone edifice,
known as the Beck Memorial Presbyterian Church, was erected
directly opposite the old church building which was for a time given
over to a colored congregation.
Adjoining the old church cemetery are interred many veterans
144
THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
of the Sixth New York Heavy Artillery who enlisted for the Civil
War from West Farms and Westchester village, and who gave
their lives in the service of their country. The West Farms Ceme-
tery, where the remains of these soldiers are buried, had fallen
into neglect ; the graves were sunken and the tombstones overgrown
and almost obliterated. In 1907 a Mrs. Cunningham, the widow
of a soldier, chanced to be passing by the graveyard at the time
when the street was being widened, and noticed a number of bones
West Farms Cemetery
being thrown into a cart. She drew the attention of the citizens
of the Borough to the neglect of these honored graves and the
disgrace of the city in forgetting its heroes. A committee, headed
by Captain Charles Baxter, at once set about to prevent further
desecration of the graves and to restore the cemetery to a respec-
table condition. A board fence was erected by the Borough in
July, 1908; while in October, 1909, a monument was erected by
public subscription which was dedicated with appropriate cere-
monies on May 29th, 1910. Three brass cannon, shell, and a
flagpole were presented by the United States Government for
decorative purposes. The most distinguished of those buried within
WEST FARMS 145
the cemetery is Captain William J. Rasberry, of Company C, Sixth
New York Artillery who was killed during "Sheridan's Ride,"
at Cedar Creek, Va., October 19th, 1864, while leading his men up
the hill. Within the plot are the remains of eleven soldiers, two
of them of the War of 1812.
During the Civil War, many individual soldiers enlisted from
all parts of the Borough, while the following companies were re-
cruited almost wholly in the places given; Sixth Artillery, Com-
pany C, wholly, and Company K, partially, at West Farms; Com-
pany H, in Morrisiana; Fifth Infantry (Duryea's Zouaves),
Company F, partially, in Fordham; Seventeenth Infantry, Com-
pany C, Morrisiana; One Hundred Seventy-sixth Infantry (Iron-
sides), Company G, in Pelham.
When the "Copperhead" element of the Borough read, on
July 14th, 1863, of the riotous resistance to the draft on Manhattan
Island the preceding day, they banded together, attacked the draft
offices at Morrisania and West Farms and destroyed the lists. They
then demolished the telegraph offices in Melrose and Williams-
bridge and proceeded to tear up the rails of the Harlem and New
Haven Railroads in order to prevent the arrival of troops and
outside assistance. They did not, however, go the lengths of
their rebellious neighbors. The mobs were soon quieted by the
appeals of Supervisor Caldwell and Pierre C. Talman.
On the evening of the fifteenth a meeting was held in the town
hall of Tremont where the crowd was addressed by John B. Haskin
and Pierre C. Talman. The speakers managed the mass of excited
and ignorant men with considerable diplomacy, first flattering them
with the statement that they were right in their resistance to the
draft, and then appealing to their sense of self-respect and order.
The mob was finally pacified by the appointment of a committee "to
wait on Moses G. Sheard, Esq., Federal Provost Marshal of the
district, to insist that the draft be stopped till the State could de-
cide whether it was constitutional." At the same time the news
that troops had arrived in New York and discomfited the mobs
there also acted as a tonic, and quiet and order were once more re-
stored. *
The Isaac Varian homestead, also known as the Valentine
House, at Van Cortlandt Avenue and Woodlawn Road, was erected
* Stephen Jenkins, The Story of the Bronx.
146
THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
in 1776 while the old wing, now destroyed, dates back to 1770. An
encounter occurred here in 1777 between the British and the Ameri-
cans, the Continentals driving their foes out of this house and along
the Boston Post Road to Fort Independence.
On the 17th of January, 1777, General Heath, in compliance
with General Washington's orders, began an attack against Fort
Independence. It was intended by this means, even if the fort was
not taken, to cause the British to withdraw some of their troops
from New Jersey and Rhode Island. General Lincoln advanced
Isaac Varian Homestead
hy the Albany Post Road to the heights above Van Cortlandt Park ;
<Jeneral Scott came from Scarsdale to the vicinity of the Valentine
house on the Boston Road, between Williamsbridge and Kings-
bridge, while Generals Wooster and Parsons marched from New
Rochelle over the Boston Road.
The three divisions arrived at the enemy's outpost just before
sunrise. Lincoln captured the outpost in the front at "Upper Cort-
landt's." Heath ordered the cannonade of the Valentine House, if
the guard resisted, and he stationed two hundred and fifty men
between the house and Fort Independence to prevent the guard
from retreating to the fort. Two mounted British pickets were
-espied fleeing to give the alarm. One was captured, but the other
WEST FARMS 147
-escaped and alarmed the British outposts, who ran for the fort.
They were fired upon by the Americans, and one of them was taken
prisoner.
Built into the walls of the Church of the Holy Nativity, located
at Woodlawn Road and Bainbridge Avenue, are three old tomb-
stones, two of the Bussing family, dating 1753, and one of the
Valentine family.
Opposite the Catholic church is the site of the old John Wil-
liams' house, erected about 1753, the home of the family after
which Williamsbridge is named. The house was sold in 1903 to
an Italian for firewood.
On White Plains Road near Williamsbridge Square stands
a little Revolutionary house painted red, shot full of holes by
British riflemen.
The Hustace house. Two Hundred Twenty-first Street, one of
the oldest landmarks of the region, can be seen facing an old white
house on a disused lane.
On the northeast corner of Two Hundred Twenty-second
Street and White Plains Road, stands the Haven house. Within this
old house are many relics of early Colonial days, which have been
preserved with great care. Here may be seen the high back rush-
bottomed chair in which General Washington sat while paying
off his ragged army after the battle of Chatterton Heights, at
White Plains in 1776. There is also a rocker belonging to George
Clinton, the first governor of the State of New York; also a ma-
hogany bedstead on which Commodore Perry died.
Mrs. Martha Clinton Havens was the adopted daughter of
General James Clinton of Newburgh, the brother of Governor
Clinton. It is said that the piano now in Washington's headquar-
ters at Newburgh, belonged to Mrs. Havens. The brass cannon
on the lawn was taken from the British by General Harrison at
the battle of Tippecanoe, in 1814.
On the corner of Two Hundred Twenty-eighth Street stood
the shingled house, torn down in 1885, which was used for a time
by Washington as headquarters.
The Chateauneuf residence, on the south side of Two Hundred
Thirty-first Street, west of White Plains Road was built about
1853 and was the refuge of the widow and four children of the
Marquis de Chateauneuf, former governor of Touraine, who fled
from France to escape espionage.
148
THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
West of Webster Avenue and almost opposite the Union Rail-
way car barns on the old Hyatt farm, stands an unpretentious
one-and-a-half-story building that played an important part in
the early days of the Revolution, and in which Washington when
hard pressed and in danger of Lord Howe's and General Von
Knyphausen's advance from Pell's Point, thought it prudent to
store some of his cannon so that he could make quicker progress
in his retreat to White Plains. The house is known today as
"Washington's Gun House," while the adjoining settlement was
called Washingtonville.
Washington's Gun House
When the land hereabouts was still the uninvaded country of
the Indians, the copper-skinned maidens of the Stockbridge braves
of the Algonquins, who lived in a neighboring village, selected as
a trysting place an immense rock under a group of willow trees
on the bank of the Bronx River. It is said that at this beautiful
spot one of the fairest daughters of the Stockbridge tribe was
wooed by the son of an Algonquin chieftain and that when he
carried her off as his bride the boulder was named the "Wishing
Rock." After the white men had driven the Indians from this
region the legend of the rock remained, and until a half century
ago it was still a rendezvous for lovers. The section is now known
as Wakefield.
The Penfield homestead, which stood, until it was almost de-
WEST FARMS 149
stroyed by fire on the morning of May 13th, 1912, at Demilt Avenue
and Two Hundred Forty-second Street, east of White Plains Road,
was erected over a century ago. It was formerly occupied by the
Pauldings, the De Milts and the Penfields. Within its old Colonial
walls Justices Marshall and Jay, as well as Aaron Burr, and Cap-
tains Ayres and Paulding of the Continental troops, were sheltered
under its roof, and their names were cut in the small old fashioned
panes of glass with which the windows were decorated.
At Demilt Avenue once stood the Thirteen Trees planted in the
early days by a relative of the Paulding who helped to capture
Major Andre, the British spy. They have all yielded to the onward
march of progress; the last one, a black walnuc, measuring three
feet eight inches at the butt, having been cut down a few years
ago.
CHAPTER XVIII
FORDHAM MANOR
Edgar Allan Poe and His Cottage at Fordham, Where He Won a Niche in
th'; Hall of Fame That He had Not Dreamed of — Frederick Philipse
Whose Ships Brought Fortunes to These Shores.
HE Poe Cottage in Fordham has been the
shrine for many a pilgrimage. Edgar
Allan Poe was born in Boston, January 19,
1809, and died forty years later in Balti-
more. While he was one of the most tal-
^l^y'A^'' ^^^^^ ^^^ original literary geniuses, he was also
^ ^^^ one of the most unfortunate of men, and his
^'^.' whole life was a struggle with want and poverty.
He was a man of varied moods, and gifted with
an extraordinary imagination. His writings have
been reproduced in many languages, yet his work
met with poor compensation. For "The Raven," which has been
read and recited wherever the English language is spoken, he
received the sum of ten dollars. This justly celebrated poem was
written at the old Brennan House on Riverside Drive, near West
Eighty-eighth Street, Manhattan.
It was in the little cottage at Fordham, where he lived from
1845 to 1849, that he produced some of his literary gems, and
160
FORDHAM MANOR 151
where he spent some of his most gloomy hours. It was there, also,
that he lost his wife, Virginia, whom he had married when she
was barely thirteen years old. Poe's devotion to his child-wife
was one of the most beautiful features of his life, and many of
his famous poetic productions were inspired by her. She was but
twenty-five when she died.
It was in this cottage, too, that Poe poured forth his amatory
effusions to Mrs. Sarah Helen Whitman, the Rhode Island poetess,
sixteen years his senior. These passionate love epistles were writ-
ten two years after the death of his wife, Virginia, and within a
few months of his own death, and they culminated in a promise of
marriage. The engagement was broken off on the eve of marriage
by the interference of friends.
The following extracts from Poe's letters to his betrothed in-
dicate his warmth of affection.
"Fordham, Sunday night, Oct. 1, 1848.
I have pressed your letter again and again to my lips, sweetest Helen —
bathing it in tears of joy, or of divine despair! ..."
"The mere thought that your dear fingers w^ould press — your sweet eyes
dw^ll upon characters which had welled out upon the paper from the depths
of so devout a love — filled my soul with a rapture which seemed then all-
sufficient for my human nature. . . ."
"If ever, then, I dared to picture for myself a richer happiness, it was
always connected with your image in Heaven.
"As you entered the room ... I felt . . . the existence of spiritual
influences ... I saw that you were Helen — my Helen — the Helen of a
thousand dreams — she whose visionary lips had so often lingered upon my own
in the divine trance of passion — she whom the great Giver of all Good pre-
ordained to be mine — mine only — if not now, alas! then at least hereafter and
forever in the heavens. . . . Your hand rested in mine and my whole soul
shook with a tremulous ecstasy. . . . "
"You are aware, sweet Helen, that on my part there are insuperable
reasons forbidding me to urge upon you my love. Were I not poor — had not
my late errors and excesses justly lowered me in the esteem of the good — were
I wealthy, or could I offer you worldly honors — ah, then — then — how proud
would I be to persevere — to sue — to plead — to pray — to beseech you for your
love — in the deepest humility — at you feet — at you feet, Helen, and with
floods of passionate tears! . . ."
152 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
"October 18, 1848.
"... You do not love me, or you would have felt too thoro a sympathy
with the sensitiveness of my nature, to have so wounded me as you have done
with this terrible passage of your letter: 'How often have I heard men and
even women say of you — "He has great intellectual power, but no principle, no
moral sense." ' Is it possible that such expressions as these could have been
repeated to me — to me — by one whom I loved — ah, whom I love — at whose
feet I knelt — I still kneel— in deeper worship than ever man offered to God? —
And you proceed to ask me why such opinions exist. ..."
"Friday the 24th.
"You allude to your having been 'tortured by reports which have since
been explained to your entire satisfaction.' On this point my mind is fully
made up. I will rest neither by night nor by day until I bring those who have
slandered me into the light of day — until I expose them and their motives to
the public eye. I have the means and I will ruthlessly employ them. . . ."
The following brief note of joyous assurance from Poe to Mrs.
Clemm, heightens the tragedy:
"My Own Dear Mother: We shall be married on Monday, and will be
at Fordham on Tuesday, in the first train."
Poe's life was brimful of sorrow. His grandfather, General
David Poe, served with credit in the Revolutionary War, and was
known to Washington and to Lafayette. His father was intended
for the bar; but against the wishes of his family, he married an
English actress, Mrs. Elizabeth Hopkins, the daughter of the once
celebrated actress, Mrs. Arnold, and joined her on the stage. Edgar
was but two years of age when both parents died in Richmond
within a few weeks of each other, and the orphan was adopted by
John Allan, a wealthy Richmond merchant, from whom he received
his middle name. Here he was treated like one of the family, and
the coddling and over-indulgence accorded him is responsible for
his being a "spoilt child" thruout his life.
Poe was given excellent educational opportunities by his foster-
father. In 1815 he was taken on a tour thru England and
Scotland and placed in the Manor House School, Stoke Newington,
about four miles from London. When he returned to Richmond
six years later, he was placed in the English and Classical School
of Joseph H. Clarke, where he was prepared for college. At the
FORDHAM MANOR 153
age of seventeen he entered the University of Virginia, where he
excelled in the languages and in athletics. He took high honors in
Latin and French. But he fell into heavy gambling debts, and at
the end of the first year Mr. Allan withdrew him from college
and put him to work in his counting house.
Poe determined to make his own fortune, and he ran away
to Boston where he soon issued his first book, Tamerlane and other
Poems. Poor and friendless, he now enlisted in the army. He
must have been an efficient soldier, for he was promoted to sergeant-
general. Thru the influence of Mr. Allan, he was allowed to
enter West Point; but not being able to stay long under restraint,
he deliberately gave such ground for offence that he was court-
martialed and dismissed.
He now turned to literature for a livelihood. By winning a
prize of $100 for a short story, he gained the admiration of John
Kennedy, the novelist, who rescued him from poverty by securing
for him magazine hack work. He brought about an enormous in-
crease in subscription for every periodical with which he was
connected, but his excesses kept him in the throes of poverty and
wretchedness.
At this time he was living with his aunt, Mrs. Clemm, and
her daughter, Virginia, in Baltimore, but he soon moved to Rich-
mond, where he married his young cousin in 1835.
His indulgence in opium and intoxicants increased, and he
was often plunged into dire penury. In 1838, he removed to New
York, but he met with little success, and he had to keep up an in-
cessant struggle to keep the wolf from the door. In 1841 his wife
ruptured a blood vessel, and the next six years were full of misery
and agony. For the sake of his wife's rapidly failing health, he
removed, in the summer of 1845, to "the Little Dutch Cottage in
Fordham."
Poe's devotion to his wife was steadfast. There is a tender
letter dated June 12th, 1846, addressed to "My Dear Heart— My
Dear Virginia." "Keep up your heart," he wrote, "in all hopeful-
ness, and trust yet a little longer. On my last great disappoint-
ment I should have lost courage but for you — my little darling wife.
You are my greatest and only stimulus now, to battle with this un-
congenial, unsatisfactory and ungrateful life."
In 1848 Poe became betrothed to Mrs. Whitman, but the en-
gagement was broken off on the eve of the wedding. In June,
154
THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
1849, he revisited Richmond and became engaged to Mrs. Shelton.
On September 18th, 1849, he wrote from Richmond to Mrs.
Clemm: "// pos.nble I will be married before I start, but there
is no telling. ... I hope that our troubles are nearly over.
. . , The papers are praising me nearly to death." But Poe
was doomed never to remarry. In October, while on the way to
FoRDHAM Dutch Reformed Church
Fordham, he stopped off at Baltimore, where he was found lying
in the street unconscious. He died later in the City Hospital and
was interred in the burial ground of Westminster Church near
the grave of his grandfather. His wife's body, which had been
buried in the cemetery of the old Dutch Reformed Church at
Fordham, was removed in 1878 and laid beside that of her de-
voted husband.
N. P. Willis, an intimate friend of Poe, describes him thus :
FORDHAM MANOR 155
"He was at all times a dreamer — dwelling in ideal realms —
in Heaven or Hell — peopled with the creatures and the accidents
of his brain. He walked in the streets, in madness or melancholy,
with lips moving in indistinct curses, or with eyes upturned in
passionate prayer (never for himself, for he felt or professed to
feel that he was already damned), but for their happiness who
at the moment were objects of his idolatry or with his glances
introverted to a heart gnawed with anguish and with a face
shrouded in gloom, he would brave the wildest storms, and all
night with drenched garments and arms beating the winds and
rains would speak as if the spirits that at such times only could
be evoked by him from the Aidenn, close by whose portals his
disturbed soul sought to forget the ills to which he might never
see but in fitful glimpses, as its gates opened to receive the less
fiery and more happy natures whose destiny to sin did not inspire
the doom of death.
"He seemed, except when some fitful pursuit subjugated his
will and engrossed his faculties, always to bear the memory of
some controlling sorrow. The remarkable poem of 'The Raven'
was probably a reflection and an echo of his own history. He
was that bird's — unhappy master, whom unmerciful Disaster fol-
lowed fast and followed faster, till his songs one burden bore —
'Till the dirges of his Hope that melancholy burden bore of 'Never —
never more' !"
Whatever faults or failings Poe may have had when he was
alive, he stands today as a worthy American poet and prose writer.
The fact that his name has been carved with other prominent
Americans in the "Hall of Fame" is sufficient proof of the respect
and admiration in which he is held by the American public.
The Philipse manor-house at Yonkers, located close to the
boundary, deserves our attention, for the Philipseburgh Manor
was included within the Borough until June 1, 1872, when the
City of Yonkers was incorporated. Tradition says that it was here
that George Washington courted the beautiful Mary Philipse when
he was the guest of Colonel Robinson while on his horseback jour-
ney from Virginia to Boston, twenty years before he became the
great leader of the Revolution.
It is not known whether Washington was simply backward in
asking for her hand or whether he was actually rejected. At any
rate, Colonel Roger Morris was the successful suitor, and shortly
156 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
afterward the fashion, the rank, the beauty and the scholarship of
Yonkers were assembled at the manor-hall to celebrate the nuptials.
Morris had been a fellow-soldier with Washington on the field of
Monovgabela, where Braddock fell, in the summer of 1755. He
built, shortly after his marriage, the fine mansion at One Hundred
Sixtieth Street and Edgecombe Avenue, which was the residence,
until her death in 1865, of Madame Jumel, the widow of Aaron
Burr. Morris remained loyal to the crown, and when Washington
encamped with his army upon Harlem Heights in the fall of 1776,
he fled for safety, and Washington, for a time, made this mansion
his headquarters.
The Philipse manor-house was erected in 1682, by Frederick
Philipse, a wealthy shipowner, who had fought his way from ob-
scurity to power and wealth, having been a poor carpenter lad when
he landed upon these shores from Holland. He abandoned carpen-
tering and engaged in the fur business. Fortune smiled upon him
when he married Margaret Hardenbroeck, the widow of a rival fur-
trader, Pietrus Rudolphus De Vries. She not only was a great help-
mate, but she established him as a man of wealth and influence.
Frederick Philipse secured to himself, by purchase from the
Indians and grants from the Dutch government, all the land from
Spuyten Duyvil Creek and the Harlem River on the south to the
Croton River on the north, and between The Bronx and the Hudson
River on the east and west. In 1693 this vast estate was formally
erected by royal charter into a manor under the title of Philipse-
borough and Philipse was invested with all the privileges of a lord.
It embraced the site of the present city of Yonkers in the very
heart of which may be seen the pioneer manor house erected in
1682. In this pretentious manor-hall the courtly aristocracy of the
province were wont to meet in gay and joyous throng. There still
swings in the center of the southern front a dark, massive door
which was manufactured in Holland in 1681 and imported by Mrs.
Philipse. This old manor-house has had an eventful history. It
was occupied by the Philipse family until 1776, when the "Third
Lord of the Manor" fled to England and the property was confis-
cated by the Americans in 1779.
Frederick Philipse, the third and last lord of the manor, was
a graduate of King's College, and was a scholarly gentleman with
literary tastes. His wife was a devotee of fashion. It is said that
it was her pride to appear on the roads of Westchester, skilfully
FORDHAM MANOR 157
reining four jet-black steeds with her own hands. She was killed
by a fall from her carriage shortly before the war. Frederick
Philipse tried to maintain a strict neutrality during the war in
order to protect his property; but he failed, for he was a loyalist
at heart. Suspected of favoring the British, he was compelled to
fly for safety after the battle of White Plains. Washington and
his generals spent several nights under the terraced roof of the
manor-hall. It is said that Washington occupied the southwestern
chamber. It is an immense place and has an old fashioned fireplace
with jambs about three feet deep, and faced in blue and white tile
bearing scriptural illustrations and appropriate references. The
chimney — now over two hundred years old — is of peculiarly quaint
construction, and has a secret passageway from this apartment to
some underground retreat. The bricks of which it was built were
imported from Holland. Until a few years ago it was used by the
municipal authorities of Yonkers for its City Hall.
That Philipse was the best-housed man in the colony is ap-
parent, for on every side is evidence of the luxury enjoyed by him
and those coming after him. The old house contains many inter-
esting relics of former days. The "Wishing Seat" near the open
fireplace has been well patronized as is evidenced by its hollow
bottom. In the council room there is a bust of Washington; also
an antique chair, said to have been used by him when he had his
headquarters there.
Yonkers is a very old Dutch town, and began its existence in
the days of New Amsterdam, as the Colony of Colen Donck, being
the property of Adrien Van Der Donck, who in 1646, obtained title
to a tract of land extending sixteen miles along the Hudson River,
north of Spuyten Duyvil and thence east to the Bronx River. This
tract included what is now the city of Yonkers, and the entire
southwestern part of Westchester County.
CHAPTER XIX
HISTORIC KINGSBRIDGE
Fort Independence and Other Old Fortifications — Story of General Richard
Montgomery, the Hero of Quebec.
AT the unveiling of a bronze tablet, marking the
site of Fort Number One, by the American Scenic
and Historic Preservation Society upon the east
side of the handsome residence of Mr. William
C. Muschenheim at Spuyten Duyvil on Novem-
ber 5, 1910, Lieutenant Stephen Jenkins, author
of The Story of The Brojix, who delivered the
General Richard historical address at the exercises, spoke with-
MoNTGOMERY out exaggeration when he said : "With the pos-
sible exception of the Mohawk Valley, the Tyron
County of Colonial days and the Lake Champlain region, there is
no section in New York State which possesses such romantic,
legendary and historic interest as the County of Westchester, par-
ticularly the Kingsbridge section. One can not help feeling a
thrill as one travels over this historic ground. Wherever one goes
or wherever one looks, he finds something of historic interest."
The Kingsbridge section was a bone of contention dur-
ing the early part of the Revolutionary War. When
the question of taking measures for the defence of the
Colonies was proposed in the Continental Congress, a discussion
arose that was long and earnest, for many members yet hoped for
reconciliation. On the very day that a British reinforcement at
Boston with Howe, Clinton, and Burgoyne entered that harbor,
Duane, of New York moved, in the Committee of the Whole, the
opening of a negotiation, in order to accommodate the unhappy dis-
putes existing between Great Britain and the Colonies, and that
this be made a part of the petition to the King. But more deter-
mined spirits prevailed, and a compromise was reached on the 25th
of May, 1775, when, directions were sent to the Provincial Congress
at New York to preserve the communications between the City of
158
HISTORIC KINGSBRIDGE
159-
New York and the country by fortifying posts at or near Kings-
bridge.
The Provincial Congress at New York appointed a committee
consisting of Captain Richard Montgomery, Henry Glenn, Robert
Yates and Colonels James Van Cortlandt and James Holmes (these
last two of Westchester County, both of whom later became loyal-
ists) "to view the ground at or near Kingsbridge, and report to
this Congress whether the ground near Kingsbridge will admit of
making a fortification there, that will be tenable."
P.
I
e3 THEFOUNDATIONOFTHISHOUSEISAPARTOF >->
FORT= NUMBER = ONE
WHICHWAS ERECTED BY THE CONTINENTAL- ARMY
IN AUGUST 1776
OCCUPIEDBY THE BRlTISHNOYEMBER-7- 1776
DISMANTLED IN 1779
AND REMAINED "DEBATABLE • GROUND" UNTIL
THE • CLOSE • OF • THE AMERICAN • REVOLUTION
ONE- OF- A CHAIN- OF- EIGHT- FORTS NORTH AND EAST OF
SPUYTEN- DU Y VIL • CREEK- AND - HARLEM RIVER - EXTENDING
FROMTHIS-POINT TO - THE - SITE - OF- NEW-YORK UNIVERSITY
C»?) - ERECTED BY- WaCMUSCHENHEIM- 1910 (*7
Bronze Tablet, Fort Number One
The committee reported June 3d, 1775, and recommended that
a post of three hundred men be established on Marble Hill, near
Hyatt's tavern, Manhattan, and selected sites on Tetard's Hill to
the east on Tippet's Hill to the west of the bridge for the establish-
ment of redoubts to be built by the troops. About two hundred
and fifty cannon of all shapes, sizes and material were dragged
from the city to Kingsbridge, Williamsbridge and Fordham Manor.
In every circle apprehension was felt lest Kingsbridge should
fall into the hands of the British and communication with the rest
of the country be cut off. Early in June, 1776, Washington himself,
after driving Howe out of Boston, came over to Kingsbridge. He
160 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
carefully inspected the neighborhood, and selecting seven suitable
sites for redoubts, promptly gave orders to commence the work of
erecting fortifications. Two of these redoubts — the Cock Hill Fort
overlooking the mouth of Spuyten Duyvil Creek, and a fort on
Marble Hill, afterwards called by the British, Fort Prince Charles
— were on the island of Manhattan ; the remaining five were in the
Borough.
The location of the chain of fortresses overlooking the valley
of Kingsbridge which have been designated by numerical names
by the British who captured them in October, 1776, is as follows :
Number One forms the foundation of Mr. W. C. Muschen-
heim's house on Spuyten Duyvil Hill, west of the junction of
Sydney Street and Independence Avenue. It was a square stone
redoubt so built as to command the Hudson and Spuyten Duyvil
Creek.
Number Two was the American Fort Swartout, named in honor
of Colonel Abraham Swartout, whose regiment built it, as well as
a small battery at the mouth of the creek near the site of the
Spuyten Duyvil station of the New York Central and Hudson River
Railroad. This battery was to prevent the enemy from entering
the creek in boats. It was a small circular redoubt on the crown
of Tippett's Hill northeast of the intersection of Sydney and Troy
Streets. The walls still remain.
Number Three, a small stone redoubt, was located on the crest
of Spuyten Duyvil Hill and commanded the junction of the Spuyten
Duyvil road and the present Riverdale Avenue, as well as the ex-
treme northerly end of Manhattan Island opposite the fort on
Marble Hill, called Fort Prince Charles. The site of Fort Number
Three is occupied by the Warren Sage house.
Number Four, the American Fort Independence, was the
largest and perhaps the most important of all. It was situated on
the farm of Captain Richard Montgomery, on the eastern side of
the valley formed by Tetard's Hill on the east and Tippett's Hill
on the west, and it commanded the Boston and Albany roads
which were on either side of it. It was built of bastioned
earthwork by the Pennsylvania Line, assisted by the
militia, under the direction of Colonel Rufus Putnam who
had constructed Fort Washington. On October 28, 1776, upon
the approach of the Hessians under General Knyphausen, Colonel
Lasher, the American commander, destroyed the barracks and
HISTORIC KINGSBRIDGE ' 161
abandoned the fort, leaving behind the cannon and three hundred
stand of arms. The British held the fort until September, 1779,
when their troops were withdrawn to the south. The site of Fort
Independence is now occupied by the residence of the late William
0. Giles, Esq., on Giles Place near Fort Independence Street ; when
the cellar was dug there were unearthed eleven cannon, several
cannon balls, calthorns and other military relics.
Number Five, lately restored and marked by a flag-pole, was
a square redoubt of about seventy feet, north of the Claflin stables,
of the old Tetard farm, and commanded the Farmer's Bridge. It
was occupied by the British from 1777 to September 18, 1779.
Its remains can be seen east of Sedgwick Avenue at the southwest
corner of the Jerome Park reservoir. When the excavations for
the reservoir were begun, there were unearthed cannon-balls,
bayonets, swords, buttons and other relics, including several skele-
tons. In the summer of 1910, Messrs. Reginald P. Bolton, Edward
Hagaman Hall, and W. L. Calver excavated the ground within the
old redoubt and found the remains of brick fire places and regi-
mental buttons of privates of the 13th Pennsylvania regiment and
of the following British infantry regiments : 4th, 10th, 17th, 26th,
28th, 44th, 52d, 54th, 57th, 64th and 71st Highlanders, and also
an officer's button of the 17th British.
Number Six, also called by the British the "King's Battery,"
was situated a short distance west of the present road to High-
bridge, on the grounds of the Bailey estate on Fordham Heights,
adjoining the Kingsbridge Road, now occupied by the Roman
Catholic Orphan Asylum. The remains of the fort were about 380
feet northeast of the Bailey mansion. In excavating for the
foundations of the Asylum buildings, it was necessary to destroy
the old redoubt. Several relics of the British occupation were un-
earthed, among them some coins bearing the imprint of George II.,
the oldest yet found within the Borough.
Number Seven, no trace of which remains, stood on the Oswald
Cammann estate at Cammann Place and Fordham Road.
Number Eight, which was located on Fordham Heights on the
grounds of the present New York University, commanded the Har-
lem River, the American outwork on Laurel Hill (Fort George),
the Kingsbridge Road from Harlem, and the northern outworks
of Fort Washington at Inwood, afterwards called Fort Tryon. It
was maintained by the British about three years longer than the
162 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
other posts, and it served to protect Colonel De Lancey's canton-
ment from the American attacks. It also guarded the pontoon
bridge over the Harlem River and served as an alarm post to the
garrisons at the northern end of Manhattan, But the Americans
did not heed the presence of the fort, and made many raids on
De Lancey's corps. When the Hessians arrived in Kingsbridge in
November, 1776, work was begun upon the redoubt, and by the
fifteenth of the month it was ready for use. The following day an
attack upon Fort Washington was begun by Fort Number Eight,
which resulted in the fall of the former. The British now strength-
ened Number Eight and maintained it thruout the war. Health
writes in his Memoirs: "On the 20th of October, 1782, the enemy
were demolishing their works at Number Eight, Morrisania." In
1857 the late Justus H. Schwab built his residence on the site of
the old redoubt. When the old fort was dug up many relics were
unearthed and carefully preserved. Among these were cannon-
balls, grape-shot, English coins, uniform buttons, bridle ornaments,
pike tips, and military paraphernalia. The buttons indicate that
the fort was occupied by the following British regiments, or de-
tachments of them: 8'th, 17th, 33d (Lord Cornwallis), 37th (Eng-
lish Muskateers), 38th, 45th, 74th, and 76th (Scotch). The Schwab
mansion, as well as the entire Schwab estate was acquired in 1907
by the New York University.
In October, 1776, after the Battle of Pell's Point the American
troops were withdrawn from Kingsbridge and the forts fell into
the hands of the British. In 1779, the scene of hostilities was
shifted to the south, and many of the British troops were with-
drawn. By the middle of September of that year all the redoubts,
with the exception of Number Eight, which was maintained till
the end of the war as a base for operations of De Lancey's corps,
were demolished, and the guns and stores removed to Manhattan.
None of these redoubts was occupied by either side again, except
Fort Independence, which was occupied for a few days by General
Lincoln and the Marquis de Chastellux during the grand reconnais-
sance of the allied armies in the summer of 1781, but it was not
restored or fortified.
Interwoven with the Kingsbridge section of The Bronx is the
story of General Richard Montgomery, who had a farm here, and
who upon his death, was lauded both in the Continental Congress
and in the British Parliament.
HISTORIC KINGSBRIDGE . 163
Richard Montgomery was born m Ireland December 2, 1736.
He entered the English army at the age of eighteen, and distin-
guished himself under Wolfe in his brilliant conquests in the
French wars. He fought with the colonists in five important cam-
paigns, and for valiant services he was promoted to the rank of
captain.
He returned to England, but his claims for advancement be-
ing neglected, he sold his commission in 1772, and the following
year he repaired to this country. He purchased a farm of sixty-
seven acres at Kingsbridge, where he soon after won the hand of
Janet, daughter of Judge Robert R. Livingstone. In May, 1775,
he reluctantly yielded up his domestic happiness and consented to
act as delegate to the first Provincial Congress in New York City ;
and in June of the same year the Continental Congress made him
a brigadier-general in the Continental Army, the second on the
list of eight, and the only one not from New England.
It was discovered that Carleton, the British Governor of
Canada was enlisting the French peasantry in an expedition to re-
cover Ticonderoga. The Continental Congress therefore decided
to occupy that province as an act of self-defense. The command
of the enterprise was assigned to General Schuyler, with Mont-
gomery second in command.
Montgomery was regarded with pride and affection as, bidding
farewell to his lovely home and recently wedded joys, he turned
his face to the uninviting northern frontiers. His young wife,
who accompanied him to Saratoga, little thought that she was kiss-
ing good-bye for the last time this princely "soldier," — as she was
fond of calling him.
Thru the illness of the superior officer, the entire command
devolved upon Montgomery. With a force of 1,000 men he captured
the fort at Chamblee and the post of St. John on November 3,
took Montreal on the 13th, and pushed on to Quebec.
Montgomery's letters display his noble enthusiasm, his con-
tempt for cowardice and his self-sacrificing patriotism. "The
other day," he wrote to his wife, November 24, 1775, "General
Prescott was so obliging as to surrender himself and fourteen or
fi:fteen land officers, with above one hundred men, besides sea of-
ficers and sailors, prisoners of war. I blush for His Majesty's
troops ! Such an instance of base poltroonery I have never met
with ! And all because we had a half a dozen cannon on the bank
164 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
of the river to annoy him in his retreat. The Governor (Carle-
ton) escaped — more's the pity! Prescott, nevertheless, is a prize."
It was on the 3d of December that Montgomery made a junc-
tion with Benedict Arnold, and soon decided to carry Quebec by
storm. Arnold with rare boldness and persistence had conducted
a detachment of Washington's army thru a tractless wilderness
of nearly three hundred miles. Their provisions had fallen short
towards the last so that it is said some of the men had eaten their
dogs, cartouch-boxes, breeches and shoes. They had lost half their
number.
Montgomery, who had been made a major-general on Decem-
ber 9, found it necessary to storm Quebec at once. He was un-
provided with means for a prolonged siege; the Canadian winter
was drawing on with all its rigor; the army was being reduced by
sickness ; the term for which part of the troops had enlisted would
expire with the year, and they already talked of returning home.
Whatever was to be done would have to be concentrated within the
month of December.
"Till Quebec is taken Canada is unconquered," he wrote to
Congress. To his wife he wrote : "They are a good deal alarmed in
town (Quebec) and with some reason ... I wish it were well
over, with all my heart, and sigh for home like a New-Englander."
The attack was made at 2 o'clock in the morning of the 31st
of December during a heavy snow-storm, Montgomery himself
leading his men and rallying them on. "Forward, men of New
York!" he cried, "you will not fear to follow where your general
leads." They passed the first barrier, and Montgomery paused for
a moment to cheer his troops: "Push on, my brave boys. Quebec
is ours!" Suddenly he was laid low with his two aides by the first
and only discharge of the British artillery. His soldiers, discour-
aged by the loss of their leader, retreated in great confusion.
His death was regarded as a great public calamity and foes and
friends alike paid tribute to his valor. The governor, the lieuten-
ant-governor of Quebec, and all the principal officers of the garri-
son, buried him with the honors of war. At the news of his death
"the City of Philadelphia was in tears; every person seemed to
have lost his nearest friend." Congress proclaimed for him "their
grateful remembrance, respect and high veneration ; and desiring to
transmit a truly worthy example of patriotism, conduct, boldness
of enterprise insuperable perseverance, and contempt of danger
HISTORIC KINGSBRIDGE 165
and death," they reared a marble tablet in front of St. Paul's
Church, Broadway and Vesey Streets, New York City, which had
been procured by Franklin in France. In the British Parliament,
Barre wept profusely when he heard of Montgomery's death.
Burke eulogized him as the hero, who in one campaign, conquered
two-thirds of Canada. To which Lord North replied: "I can not
join in lamenting the death of Montgomery as a public loss. Curse
on his virtues! He was brave, able, humane, generous; but still
he was only a brave, able, humane and generous rebel." "The
term rebel," retorted Fox, "is no certain mark of disgrace. All
the great asserters of liberty, the saviors of their country, the
benefactors of mankind have been called 'rebels.' We owe our
constitution which enables us to sit in this house to a rebellion."
The remains of Montgomery were removed in 1818 in com-
pliance with a special act of the Legislature, and were deposited
near the monument which the United States Government had
erected in his memory. The ceremonies were conducted on a most
brilliant scale. The tablet bears the following inscriptions:
This Monument is erected by the order of Congress 25th Janry, 1776,
to transmit to Posterity a grateful remembrance of the patriotism conduct
enterprize & performance
of Major General RICHARD MONTGOMERY
who after a series of successes amidst the most discouraging Difficulties
Fell in the attack on
QUEBEC. 31st Decbr., 1775. Aged 37 Years.
The State of New York
Caused the Remains of
Maj. Genl. RICHARD MONTGOMERY
to be conveyed from Quebec
and deposited beneath this Monument
the 8th day of July
1818
Montgomery's will is still extant and bears the signature of
Benedict Arnold. To his sister Sarah, Lady Ranelagh, he left his
estate of Kingsbridge. Doubt is cast upon the genuineness of the
Montgomery house on Fort Independence Street. Thomas Henry
Edsall, the historian of Kingsbridge, states that the original house
was burned and completely destroyed by the British during the
Revolution. William Ogden Giles, who bought the property and
166 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
built his own house on the site of Fort Independence, which had
been erected on the Montgomery farm, maintained that it is the
original Montgomery house, and pointed to the fact that its beams
are of hewn oak, a sure sign of antiquity.
CHAPTER XX
THE VAN CORTLANDTS
The Old Public-Spirited Colonial Family Who Figured Prominently in Ameri-
can History — Cortlandt Manor Founded, 1697 — Pierre and Philip Van
Cortlandt Who Scorned England's Promises and Favors and Espoused the
American Cause.
;iAN CORTLANDT PARK perpetuates the name of the
old and honorable family who established Cortlandt
Manor, and who played a prominent part in New
York during the Colonial and Revolutionary periods.
Oloff Stevenson Van Cortlandt, the founder of the
family in America, came to New Amsterdam in the same
vessel with Kieft, on March 28, 1638, as an officer in the ser-
vice of the West India Company. He was a lineal descendant of the
Dukes of Courland in Russia. When deprived of the duchy of Cour-
land, his ancestors emigrated to Holland. The family name was Ste-
vens, or Stevenson, van (from) Courland, and they adopted the lat-
ter as a surname, the true orthography in Dutch being Kortelandt,
signifying "short-land." Oloff Stevenson Van Cortlandt was made
a commissary of the shop, or customs office, in 1639, and he had
charge of the public stores of the company until 1648. He then
became a merchant and brewer, and rose to the position of being
one of the richest men in New Amsterdam. In 1654, he was ap-
pointed Burgomaster (mayor) of New Amsterdam, which office
he held almost without interruption until 1664, when the Dutch
colony was surrendered to the British. He died in New York,
April 4, 1687.
Stephanus Van Cortlandt, the son of Oloff S. Van Cortlandt,
born May 4, 1643, became at the age of thirty-four, the first native-
born mayor of New York City, and held that office almost con-
secutively till his death, November 25, 1700. At the time of Leis-
ler's Rebellion (1689-1691), he was one of the Royal Counsellors,
and having opposed Leisler, the self-styled "Cromwell" of New
York, he was obliged to fly from the city to avoid imprisonment.
167
168 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
Leisler sent a constable to the house of Mayor Van Cortlandt
to obtain the city charter, seals, records, etc., which would lend
dignity to his office. Van Cortlandt was not at home. A committee
was appointed to wait upon Mrs. Van Cortlandt and demand them
of her. She received the committee politely, but declined to give up
anything which had been left in her care by her husband. A ser-
geant-at-arms next visited her but when she learned his errand
she cooly shut the door in his face and defied his blustering threats.
An effort to find and imprison Van Cortlandt was then made, but
without success. Stephanus Van Cortlandt lived with his wife,
the beautiful Gertrude Schuyler, daughter of the mayor of Albany,
on the corner of Broad and Pearl Streets until his estates were
erected into a manor by patent from William III,, on June 17, 1697,
and he subsequently built the first Cortlandt Manor house on the
shore of Croton Bay. The main portion of the edifice was the ori-
ginal block-house built by Governor Dongan in the early part of
his administration as a rendezvous for fishing parties and con-
ferences with the Indians. Stephanus Van Cortlandt, who in 1683
was appointed by the King of England one of Dongan's privy coun-
cil, usually accompanied him on these expeditions, and subsequently
purchased land thereabouts from the Indians — 85,000 acres, ex-
tending to the Connecticut line. The block-house, which with its
solid stone walls three feet thick, and loop-holes for musketry pro-
vided for the emergencies of life in a savage wilderness, was con-
verted into a commodious dwelling.
The lords of Cortlandt had the privilege of sending a repre-
sentative to the Provincial Assembly, and the manor was held by
a feudal tenure, for which the rent of forty shillings (about $10.)
was paid annually to the crown on the feast-day of the Annuncia-
tion.
Jacobus Van Cortlandt the third son of Oloflf Stevenson Van
Cortlandt, and the seventh and younger member of the family,
born July 7, 1658, was a member of the first three William and
Mary assemblies, and also in 1702-1709. He was the mayor of New
York in 1710 and also in 1719. He was a large landholder and one
of the most prominent men of his time. He married Eva, the
adopted daughter of Frederick Philipse, the "Dutch millionaire"
and lord of the manor of Philipseburgh, then extending along the
Hudson River from below the present site of Riverdale, northerly
to the mouth of Croton River above Sing Sing. By purchasing
THE VAN CORTLANDTS 169
fifty acres of land on George's Point from his father-in-law and
about one hundred acres from the neighboring landowners, Jaco-
bus Van Cortlandt became the owner of the chief part of the pres-
ent City of Yonkers lying below the Philipseburgh estate, including
the present Van Cortlandt Park, Riverdale, Kingsbridge, etc. The
title was subsequently confirmed by the Indians in 1701 for "two
fathoms of duffels and £1 2s 6d ($5.62) current money of New
York." His estate in Yonkers was bought by New York City from
his descendants and was made part of Van Cortlandt Park.
During the Revolution the proprietors of Van Cortlandt Manor,
Pierre and his son Philip Van Cortlandt, espoused the American
cause despite the fact that the Philipses and the younger branches
of the Van Cortlandt family remained Tories. Augustus Van Cort-
landt, grandson of Jacobus and ancestor of the Yonkers branch of
the Van Cortlandt family, was a loyalist. On August 18, 1776, he
was obliged to fiee, for he had been warned that Tory-hunters were
on their way to capture him. While he was concealed in a cow-
house for ten days, a conscientious Dutch farmer walked back-
wards, when he carried him his meals, in order to be able to swear
he had not seen him. At last he reached the British lines on Staten
Island in safety.
The staunchest allies of Washington during his critical posi-
tion in New York were Pierre and Philip Van Cortlandt. Both
father and son had nobly declined the offers of royal favors, honors,
grants of land, and if they would abondan the popular cause, made
by Tryon when he visited them at the old manor-house for a few
days in 1774. The younger Van Cortlandt destroyed a major's
commission which Tryon had sent him.
Pierre Van Cortlandt, grandson of Stephanus, was born in
Cortlandt Manor, January 10, 1721. He was a member of the
first Provincial Congress of New York ; chairman of the Committee
of Public Safety; and he was exceedingly active in the patriot
cause. He was one of the thirty-eight men who ratified the Dec-
laration of Independence on horseback at White Plains, on the 9th
of July, 1776; and from October of the same year, when elected
vice-president of the Convention, was almost the sole presiding
officer of that heroic body until it completed its labors. He was the
first Lieutenant-Governor of New York State, to which oflice he was
elected in 1777, and he acted in that capacity consecutively for
eighteen years until he declined re-election. Governor Clinton be-
170 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
ing much absorbed in military duties, Van Cortlandt was chief
executive and civil magistrate during a greater portion of the
Revolution. So obnoxious was he to the British government that
it set a bounty on his head. His undismayed faithfulness when
driven from his estates, and when adverse clouds darkened the
entire horizon proved a source of inspiration among all classes in
the State of New York. He died in Cortlandt Manor, May 1, 1814.
Philip Van Cortlandt, son of Pierre, was born September 1,
1749, and died unmarried at the Van Cortlandt manor-house, No-
vember 21, 1831. He was graduated from King's College in 1758
when he became a land surveyor. When the war broke out he was
elected to the Provincial Assembly which met in New York City,
May 23, 1775, to choose delegates to the Continental Congress. He
was later appointed lieutenant-colonel in the American army, and
he commanded the regiment detailed to guard the public stores
at Peekskill. In the spring of 1776, he was on duty at Ticonderoga,
and a member of a court-martial for the trial of Moses Hazen,
charged by Benedict Arnold for disobedience of orders. "I re-
mained," he wrote in one of his letters, "long enough to discover
the vile conduct of Arnold in procuring a vast quantity of goods
from the merchants of Montreal, which he intended for, and which
I believe was appropriated to his own use. For this, and also for
improper conduct before the court, he would have been arrested
himself, but escaped by procuring an order from General Gates
to send me the morning after the court adjourned, to Schenes-
borough (Whitehall) by which means the court was dissolved and
Arnold escaped."
Philip Van Cortlandt fought gallantly at Bemus Heights and
at Saratoga. The Battle of Saratoga, which resulted in the sur-
render of Burgoyne, October 17, 1777, was a decisive battle in the
war, for henceforward the Americans were no longer "rebels" but
patriots fighting against oppression and wrong. The British were
beginning to fear imminent disgrace, and the talk of reconciliation
became prominent in Parliament.
In 1778, he was sent to protect the New York frontiers against
the Indians under Brant, and in 1780 he was one of the Court-
martial convened in Philadelphia to try Benedict Arnold for im-
proper conduct. Arnold had been living in high style and gave
sumptuous entertainments at a time when his accounts with the
government were as yet unsettled. He was known to have made
THE VAN CORTLANDTS 171
temporary use of the public moneys passing thru his hands.
He had married Margaret Shippen whose family were not in sym-
pathy with the American cause. And yet Arnold was a crippled
soldier who had fought bravely at Quebec and in other significant
battles. It was not therefore surprising that he was let off with
a reprimand which Washington administered with consummate deli-
icacy. But Philip Van Cortlandt and the four other officers who had
served on the Hazen trial knew well the true character of the one
who so soon afterwards turned out to be a despicable traitor. "We
voted for cashiering him," wrote Van Cortlandt in his diary, "but
were overruled by a sentence of reprimand. Had they all known
what we knew he would have been dismissed the service."
In 1780, Philip Van Cortlandt commanded a regiment under
Lafayette; was with him at Virginia; and for his gallant conduct
at Yorktown was promoted to brigadier-general. With the con-
clusion of the War, he did not retire and live on the fat of his lands,
but he continued in the public service. He became a Commissioner
of Forfeitures of the counties of Westchester, Richmond, Kings,
,Queens, and Suffolk, and the first supervisor of the town of Cort-
landt in 1788. He served in both branches of the New York legis-
lature, and he was also a delegate of the State convention that
adopted the National Constitution. He was member of Congress
from 1793 to 1809, and a presidential elector in 1812. He was one
of the original members of the Cincinnati, and its first treasurer.
He was on terms of intimacy with Lafayette and he accom-
panied him thru the United States on his memorable tour in
1824. His personal resemblance to Lafayette was on one occasion
turned to decided advantage. At a large reception Lafayette, be-
coming weary of handshaking, suddenly disappeared, leaving
Van Cortlandt as his substitute. The multitude did not discover
the change and went away satisfied with having, as they supposed,
grasped the hand of the French nobleman.
Pierre Van Cortlandt, Jr., son of the Lieutenant-governor,
was fond of recounting his first meeting with Washington. Being
a lad of fourteen at the breaking out of the war, he was sent to the
new college at New Brunswick for his education. His father wrote
him a letter introducing him to Washington who was then in New
Jersey. Young Pierre presented the letter, but his courage oozed
away in the stately presence, and when invited to dinner the next
day he stammered a faint "Yes." When the time drew nigh for
172 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
him to appear again before the great personage, he was overcome
with timidity and after going a little way towards headquarters,
he turned about and ran home. The next morning he accidentally
met Washington, who, before the youngster could escape, exclaimed,
"Master Cortlandt, where were you yesterday?" The boy tried
to articulate an excuse. "Master Cortlandt," interrupted Wash-
ington with grave solemnity, "Mrs. Washington and myself ex-
pected you at dinner yesterday ; we waited a few moments for you ;
you inconvenienced my family by failing to keep your word: you
are a young lad, Master Cortlandt, and let me advise you, hereafter,
when you make a promise or an engagement, never fail to keep it.
-Good morning. Master Cortlandt!"
CHAPTER XXI
PELHAM AND WESTCHESTER
Thomas Pell the Founder of Pelham Manor — The Glittering Pageant of Lord
Howe's Troops to Impress the Westchesterites with the Strength of the
British Army — History of St. Peter's Church, Westchester.
PELHAM MANOR derived its name from
Thomas Pell, the first permanent settler of
that region. Thomas Pell was an English
gentleman and an ardent royalist. Previ-
■'"^ ^ oils to his coming to America he had been
J,^ Gentleman of the Bedchamber to Charles
**"» Jpn I- Obliged to leave the colony of New
^^-.-SSaR Haven because he refused to swear allegi-
. y ' ance on the ground that he had already
taken oath in England, he came to West-
Rev. Isaac Wilkins Chester, where, on November 14, 1657, he
purchased from the Indian sachems,
Maminepoe and Annhooke, 9,166 acres including the estate form-
erly owned and occupied by Anne Hutchinson.
In the center of a large field in front of the Bartow mansion,
now the summer home of the Crippled Children's Association, are
the remains of the Pell Treaty Oak, where Thomas Pell smoked
the pipe of peace with the Siwanoy Indian chiefs after signing the
deed which gave him possession of "all that tract of land called
Westchester, which is bounded on the east by . . . Gravelly
Brook, and so running northward . . . about eight miles, thence
west to ... a certain bend in Bronck's River, thence by marked
trees south until it reaches the tide waters in the Sound . . .
together with all the islands lying beyond that tract."
The village of Westchester, which was called by the Dutch
Oostdorp (East Farms in contradistinction to West Farms), while
the whole region was known as Vriedelandt (Land of Peace), had
been included in the Dutch purchase of 1640. When the news of the
Pell purchase reached Governor Stuyvesant, he despatched, on
173
174 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
April 19, 1655, Marshall Claes Van Elslant to warn "Thomas Pell
and other trespassers" that the same land had already been bought
of the Indians and paid for by other parties, and to order the in-
truders to leave the spot. When Van Elslant arrived at Oostdorp
on the twenty-second, he was confronted by a band of armed men.
Undaunted, he jumped ashore, and tho at once made prisoner, he
read the writ and then handed it to Pell, who said :
"I cannot understand Dutch; why did not the Fiscal send it in
English? If you send it in English then I shall send an answer
in writing. But it's no matter; we expect the ships from England
and Holland which are to bring the settlement of the boundary."
The marshal was later released and permitted to return to
New Amsterdam.
Stuyvesant then planned an expedition to surprise the in-
truders at night, drive them from Oostdorp and burn their houses.
The expedition, however, did not set out until March 6, 1656. When
the Dutch reached Oostdorp eight days later, they found the set-
tlers prepared for them; but they soon disarmed them and took
twenty-three of them prisoners to New Amsterdam. Yielding to
the pleadings of the wives of the prisoners the Dutch released them
upon their payment of the expenses of the expedition and their
promising to leave the colony within six weeks.
On the sixteenth of March, the settlers drew up a petition
to the Dutch, praying permission to remain at Oostdorp and offer-
ing allegiance to "the Governor of the Manattas," provided that
they be permitted to manage their local affairs. This the governor
and council forthwith granted, content with the establishment of
their claim to the Vriedelandt.
For eight years the settlers of Westchester remained under
Dutch jurisdiction. On March 23, 1664, Charles II., as a prelim-
inery step toward declaring war with Holland, vested in his
brother James, the Duke of York and Albany, the Dutch province
of New Netherland. The Duke of York accordingly organized an
expedition, consisting of four ships and four hundred and fifty land
troops, under the command of Colonel Richard Nicolls, accom-
panied by Governor John Winthrop of Connecticut.
The ships reached New Amsterdam on September 6, 1664, —
just about the time when the settlers of Westchester were peti-
tioning the New England authorities to aid them in overthrowing
the Dutch claims to their property. Stuyvesant and his council-
PELHAM AND WESTCHESTER 175-
lors, realizing their unpreparedness for war and the superiority of
the invading English, surrendered to Nicolls without any show
of resistance.
Colonel Nicolls became Governor of New York, and all those
who held deeds from the Dutch Company were given new ones in
the name of the Duke of York. Pell's purchase of 1654 was oc-
cordingly confirmed on October 6, 1666, by the governor, and a
patent was granted him creating him Lord of Pelham Manor, *'as
if he had held the same immediately from his majesty the King of
England." The annual quit-rent was a lamb "if the same shall be
demanded."
Pell's possession comprised 9,166 acres. Of this tract John
Pell, nephew of the first owner, sold 6,100 acres to Governor
Leisler in 1688 for the Huguenot settlement of New Rochelle, now
the city of that name in Westchester County. Pelham township,
of the same county, was also part of the original Pelham Manor.
The portion belonging to the Borough comprises what was once
Annes Hoeck (later called Pell's Neck) and Rodman's Neck, as
well as Hunter, Twin, Hart, High and City Islands.
Thomas Pell died in September, 1669, at Fairfield, Connecticut.
He bequeathed "his lands and houses in any part of New England,
or in ye territoryes of ye Duke of York," to John Pell, in England,
the only son of his only brother, the Rev. Dr. John Pell. This John
Pell, who is supposed to have been lost in his yacht off City Island
in 1702, was succeeded by his son Thomas, whose descendants were
proprietors of Pelham, down to the fourth and last lord of the
manor, who died in 1776.
The original Pell manor-house was situated on the east side
of the Eastern Boulevard, near the present Bartow mansion,
tho another authority says it was located on the extreme end
of Pelham Neck. The story runs that while Pell was looking
for a site to build his dwelling he noticed nests of fish-hawks in the
oaks and chestnuts near Pelham Neck. He was at that time
possessed of a superstition that where this bird nested there good
luck would come. The word Pelham is formed from Pell and Ham
(Home).
Between the Bartow mansion and the Sound is the Pell family
burial ground. The four stone corner-posts bear the coat-of-arms
of the Pell family — a Pelican Gorged — and each has a different
inscription, as follows:
176 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
North: South:
Indian Grant Royal Patent
of Oct. 25, 1687.
Pelham Manor James II.
to to
THOMAS PELL JOHN PELL
Nov. 14, 1654. 2nd Loud of the Manor
First Judge, 1688
AND First Member
Provincial Assembly
1691
East: OF Westchester County
Pelham Bay Park
1884 West:
Erected 1891 Royal Patent
BY descendants OF Oct. 6, 1666.
BENJAMIN PELL Duke op York
grandson of to
THOMAS PELL THOMAS PELL
Lord of the Manor 1st Lord of the Manor
The large stone in the center was erected in 1862 by James
K. Pell and it is inscribed:
"This stone is placed here in token of respect for the memory of . . .
several of the descendants of John Pell, who M^as born in the year 1643 and
died in the year 1700, the son of the Rev. John Pell, D.D. and the nephew
of Thomas Pell, the first proprietor of the Lordship and manor of Pelham,
born in the year 1603 and died in the year 1669."
The oldest inscription reads :
"HER LYES ISEC PELL D. DEC. 14, ANNO 1748."
On the other side of Split Rock Road or Collins Lane along
which the Americans retreated, stands the pre-Revolutionary Col-
lins mansion or Joshua Pell house which is fast crumbling away.
At the foot of Prospect Hill is the finest Pell mansion of all, now
remodeled and modernized. The splendid group of pine trees sur-
rounding the house, shade the magnificent columns on either side
of the doorway. The unique iron lattice- work forms a pretty bal-
cony. On the opposite side can be seen the family coat-of-arms.
At the corner of Wolf's Lane and Boston Road is another
modernized Pell house where it is said Howe and his officers seized
the very last turkey of the people living there and dined unbidden.
PELHAM AND WESTCHESTER
177
In the woods not far from the large stone Pell mansion is the "Lord
Howe chestnut" beneath whose unbrageous branches Lord Howe
and his officers lunched with a number of Westchester loyalists
whom he had invited for the occasion. On the morning of October
23, 1776, Westchester County beheld a most magnificent pageant.
Preparatory to pursuing Washington towards White Plains, Lord
Howe drew up for review his entire army consisting of about 10,-
000 men each clad in his Sunday uniform. The soft green of the
Hessians formed a charming contrast with the brilliant scarlet
Lord Howe Chestnut
of the British regulars, while the bright arms of the troops glis-
tened in the sunlight. After riding along the lines to inspect the
army, Howe and his officers with the loyalist gentlemen, sat down
at noon to partake of some refreshments. "Let us hope, however,"
we read, "that the meal of these fine gentlemen was not spoiled
by the presence of that rough old German, the Count Von Kny-
phausen, who tho a dashing soldier and a brave man, was no
courtier and anything but a pleasant dining companion."
Pelham Neck, which was called by the Dutch Annes Hoeck, or
Ann's Neck, is situated between the Sound on the north and East-
chester Bay on the south, and is the largest of all the necks in the
178 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
Borough. The end of the neck opposite City Island with which it is
connected by a bridge, is known as Rodman's Neck, after Samuel
Rodman who purchased it from one of the manor-lords of Pelham.
It is separated from the mainland by salt meadows over which the
tide ebbs and flows. The City Island road passes over the meadows
on a causeway.
Hunter's Island, which was originally part of the manor of
Pelham and is now included in Pelham Bay Park, was sold by
Joshua Pell to the Hunts and Hendersons, and after the latter it
was at one time known as Henderson's Island. In the latter part
of the eighteenth century it came into the possession of John
Hunter, of Scotch descent, from whom the island received its pres-
ent name. On the crest of the island is the Iselin mansion, which
had been erected about 1850 by Elias des Brosses Hunter, son of
John Hunter, but which was owned by Columbus Iselin at the time
Pelham Bay Park was formed in 1888. This mansion is now used as
the summer home of the "Little Mothers" Society of the Protestant
Episcopal Church, Opposite the gate-posts is the Hunter's Island
Inn, formerly the mansion belonging to Elizabeth De Lancey, a
daughter of Elias des Brosses Hunter. It is said that Joseph
Bonaparte offered a large sum for Hunter's Island before making
his home at Bordentown, New Jersey.
On the southeast side of the island are the great Indian rock
"Mishow," — around which the Indians used to conduct their reli-
gious and other rites, — and the graves of two Indian sachems. On
the northeast is a great boulder known as the "Gray Mare." Many
Indian relics have been found in the neighborhood, including ar-
rows and javelins of flint, quartz, and horn, and hatchets and
tomahawks of stone. The Indian name for the entire region was
Laaphawachking (the place of stringing beads).
Passing the white stone gate-posts on the Eastern Boulevard,
the road on which the Boston Mansion is situated, we reach the
causeways connecting the two small islands called the "Twins"
with Hunter's Island. One of the grandest marine views can be
soon from the Ogden mansion on the outer Twin Island.
In August, 1814, during the War of 1812, an engagement took
place off Pelham and New Rochelle between the American gun-
l)oats and the British warships. What saved the Americans was
the knowledge of the many rocks and reefs hereabouts. There is
^ story current among the old residents that one of the Schuylers
PELHAM AND WESTCHESTER
179
who resided in Pelham was upset in his boat not far from City-
Island. When picked up by passing craft he was found calmly sit-
ting on the bottom of the capsized boat, smoking his pipe which he
somehow managed to keep lit.
One of the landmarks in Westchester is St. Peter's Church
on Westchester Avenue. The present building is the fourth on
this site, the first having been erected in 1700 when the trustees
resolved "to build a church twenty-eight feet square, with a terret
on top" for a bell tower. It stood on the old Town Green, close to
St. Peter's Church, Westchester
the former County Court House, about on the site of the present
Sunday School building. It was used as a church until 1788, when
it was in such bad condition after the Revolution that it was sold
to Mrs. Sarah Ferris who removed it.
St. Peter's was established in accordance vdth the Royal direc-
tion received by the Governor of the Province of New York :
"You shall take an especial care that God Almighty be devoutly and duly
served thruout ye Government, the Book of Common Prayer, as it is now es-
tablished read each Sunday and Holy day and the blessed Sacrament adminis-
tered according to the rites of the Church of England."
180 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
On the 12th day of September, 1693, "An Act for settling a
Ministry and raising a maintenance for them" was introduced in the
General Assembly, the preamble of which read, "Whereas Profane-
ness and Licentiousness hath of late overspread this Province for
want of a settled Ministry thruout the same, To the end the
same may be removed and the Ordinances of God daily admin-
istered." Despite the heavy charge expressed in the preamble, the
legislators were indifferent. The act, however, was passed on the
21st September thru the efforts of Governor Benjamin Fletcher,
who was characterized by the Indians Cajenquirogoe (the Lord
of the Great Swift Arrow) ; Mr. Jones Graham, the Speaker of
the House; and Colonel Caleb Heathcote who was later the first
Warden of the Parish (1695) and in 1711 Mayor of the City of
New York.
The Act in its provisions comprehended the City of New York
and the three counties of Richmond, Westchester and Queens. In
the County of Westchester were formed two precincts the first
including the towns of Westchester, Eastchester, Yonkers, and
the Manor of Pelham; the second embraced the towns of Rye,.
Mamaroneck and Bedford.
In 1694, at a town meeting at Eastchester, it was resolved that
"Lift John Drake and Henry Fowler Senr." be chosen to act "in
their behalf ... in the business according to the warrant of
procuring a minister." On the 2d day of May of the following year
Mr. Warren Mather, a dissenting preacher was settled among^
them. Col. Heathcote, the first Church Warden protested that
they had no right "to pay for the maintenance of any minister not
of the National Church." In 1700 a bill was passed making East-
chester a separate parish and Mr. Joseph Morgan, another dis-
senter, was settled.
On the Festival of St. Michael and All Saints, 1702, the Rev.
John Bartow, the Propagation Society's missionary arrived in
New York. He was sent to take charge of the Upper Parish of
the County (Rye, Mamaroneck and Bedford) but he stopped at
Westchester with Col. Graham, who had framed the Act of 1693.
He was invited by the people to give a sermon on the next Sabbath
Day, October 3d. After the service Col. Heathcote, Col. Graham
and other chief inhabitants begged Mr. Bartow to stay among them,
to which Mr. Bartow assented provided the change should receive
PELHAM AND WESTCHESTER 181
the Governor's approval. This was obtained, and on December
6th, a memorable day for Westchester, he was inducted.
About this time William and Mary vetoed the Act of Separa-
tion. Eastchester chafed under his judgment. "Some," said Mr.
Bartow afterwards, "had given out threatening words should I dare
to come." But one summer Sunday morning in 1703, Mr. Bartow
made his appearance in the little shingle-sided meeting house at
Eastchester. In the afternoon he performed the Church of Eng-
land service, Mr. Morgan himself being present and neither he nor
the people seemed dissatisfied. "On coming among them," says
Mr. Hawkins, the Secretary of the Propagation Society, "they were
so well satisfied with thd liturgy and doctrine of the Church of
England, that they forsook their minister and conformed to the
Church of England."
To Mr. Bartow's twenty-three years of faithful service both
St. Peter's of Westchester and St. Paul's of Eastchester owe their
solid foundation.
The inscription on a tablet, the gift of Morey Hale Bartow,
in St. Peter's Church reads:
"He was a faithful one in Christ. Reverend John Bartow, first Rector
of this Parish . . . was sent to America as a missionary and settled over
the Parish from November 19, 1702, until his death, at this place, February
9, 1726."
In 1762 the members of the congregation secured from George
III. a charter styled, "The Royal Charter of St. Peter's Church in
the Borough Town of West Chester."
In 1790 a much larger and more imposing edifice was erected
which sixty-four years afterward was burned to the ground. A
third structure met with a similar fate. The present St. Peter's
is a modern stone building, imposing, and beautiful. The chime
of bells is said to have been presented in the time of Queen Anne.
The oldest head-stone in St. Peter's churchyard dates back to
1702. Some of the prominent families interred there are — Costers,
Honeywells, who came to Westchester in 1693 and whose descend-
ants are still here. Waterburys, Valentines, Morrises, McNeils,
Setons, Simpsons, Wilkins, Hoffmans, Bayards, Desbrosses, Hunts,
Boltons, Delanceys, Powells, Lrorillards and Bartows.
Near St. Peter's burying-ground is the Ferris graveyard, also
known as the Pasture Hill Burying Ground where are the family
182 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
vaults of Benjamin Ferris, also numerous headstones to the Pell
family.
Beyond the Sunday School building, a short distance south
of the church, stood the ancient Orthodox Quaker Meeting House,
built in 1723. In 1826 it was changed to Hicksites, after an
American Quaker named Hicks. Two years later, the Orthodox
built the Friends Meeting House on the opposite side of the Street.
Both were destroyed by fire on the same night in the spring of
1893. Just beyond flows the Indian Brook, now called Seabury
Creek, on whose banks the celebrated George Fox is said to have ad-
dressed . in 1672, the first Quaker meeting ever held in America. To
the west is the St. Peter's Rectory opposite Glebe Avenue, standing
on land forming part of the "Ancient Glebe" given by the town to
the church in 1703, and otherwise known as "Parsonage Land."
On the opposite side of Westchester Road St. Boniface Inn bore
the curious inscription :
No Really Destitute Person need Pass This House Hungry.
Another landmark of Westchester is the shingle-sided old
fashioned house, west of the Westchester Creek Causeway, which
was used as a country store where almost anything under the sun
could be purchased. Tradition has it that a young man once jocosely
asked the storekeeper — Sidney B. Bowne, who was a Quaker, —
whether he had a pulpit in stock. The clever shopkeeper winked
to his son and said : "If thee will go up in the garret, thee will find
Parson Wilkins's old pulpit behind the chimney."
CHAPTER XXII
THE OLD TIMERS' ASSOCIATION
Men Who Have been Residents of The Bronx for Fifty Years or More —
An Interesting Chapter By its Historian, Sidwell S. Randall.
S a vast new population came surging into The Bronx,
old residents who had lived for half a century or
more in the comparatively new district north of the
Harlem River, became slowly and by degrees aware
of the fact that they were involuntarily becoming
strangers in a land where they had resided from boyhood
upward. Indeed, many of these old settlers became startlingly
aware of the further fact that they, who but a few years previously
were the owners of much of the lands in the old towns of Morris-
ania, West Farms, Melrose, East and Westchester were no longer
important factors in the territory of which once they might have
been said to be "Lords of the Manor." In few words, death and
change and time had apparently deprived them of their identity
and status. Naturally this altered condition of affairs reluctantly
forced the knowledge upon them that, unless they combined and
formed an association which would bring together in a close fel-
lowship the older members of the community in which they were
once so powerful and well known, they would be lost in the busy
stirring City that had so suddenly sprung up all around and about
them.
Acting upon this conviction a number of old citizens met to-
gether one evening two years ago, at the headquarters of the
Exempt Firemen at Third Avenue and 147th Street and their de-
liberations resulted in the formation of a society known as the
"Old Timers of The Bronx," whose end and aim would be cordial
amity, friendship and the promotion of the best interests of all its
members socially and mentally. The sole qualifications of admis-
sion to membership in this organization is a nominal fee and a
residence in the Borough of over fifty years. By a unanimous vote
Hon. Louis F. Haffen was selected as its first President, for he is
183
184
THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
one who has identified himself from early manhood with every
local improvement that has made our Borough more wonderfully
prosperous and beautiful than any other section of Greater New
York, not only by individual efforts on his part but also by serving
with conspicuous ability his native place for four consecutive terms
as its Borough President. The other officers elected at this time
were: Julius Heiderman, 1st Vice-President; Theodore Weberg,
Group of "Old Timers"
2d Vice-President; George W. Pouder, Treasurer; Daniel A. Mc-
Cormick, George H. Robert Danfield, Secretaries; and Sidwell S.
Randall, Historian.
As matters now stand, success has followed every step of its
progress ; its meetings are largely attended, and its treasury shows
so satisfactory a financial balance that soon it will have a local
habitation and a name of its own that will be a credit not only to
The Bronx but also to the City at large.
It should be added that every class of religion and politics is
in thij
represented
lis club. Some of the older generations of the Old
THE OLD TIMERS' ASSOCIATION 185
Timers remember the period when a few hundrds of sturdy
pioneers formed the nucleus of the future towns of Melrose, Mor-
risania, and West Farms, which are now populous sections of the
Greater City.
Among the important objects sought to be carried out by the
Old Timers is the preservation of the ancient landmarks of the
Borough for, unless this be speedily done, every vestige of many
of its interesting historical mementoes will be ruthlessly destroyed
or obliterated by a new generation who apparently neither know nor
care about the history of the past. Already a number of new dwell-
ers of The Bronx, actuated solely by commercial instincts and per-
sonal aggrandizement, have built their homes on spots made sacred
by the deeds of our ancestors. In cases like these it is the impera-
tive duty of all of us, before it be too late, to mark by tablets places
of such inestimable value not only to the antiquarian but to every
true lover of his country.
In addition to such ends and aims, old monuments, books,
papers and documents have been collected by the 'Society, and will
in the future be presented to appropriate Municipal authorities.
Surely such footprints in the sands of time must be carefully
guarded lest they be stamped out by the heedless and careless
strangers who rush in where angels fear to tread.
Again, we must not forget the old families, whose habitations,
tho widely scattered, might well be considered mile-stones in the
original settlements north of the Harlem River. These families
have representatives in the Old Timers whose members served
under Grant, Sherman and Sheridan in the war of the rebellion
and at the meetings of our novel Society, these old soldiers, compare
their experiences on many hotly contested fields in the far south
and, with one accord, propose to preserve and protect the burial
places of the martyrs of the war, many of which the City authori-
ties have altogether neglected and forgotten. Nor do the Old
Timers purpose to allow the present generation to overlook the
invaluable services rendered but a few years ago by the Volunteer
Fire Department of the Annexed Wards when there were no
bounds to the district this department considered within its limits.
Not a few of us recall incidents of those days when in search oi
fires and in the performance of their duties The Bronx firemen took
their machines as far south as Fourteenth Street. Naturally a
great number of the Old Timers are exempt firemen in the broadest
186 THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
sense of the word and they are proud of a well-earned record for
promptness and efficiency in cases of emergencies in summer, win-
ter, night and day.
Tho time and space will not permit the writer to name all Old
Timers whose fellow citizens have honored with official prefer-
ments, he would not willingly omit to mention its Vice-President,
Ex- Justice Julius Heiderman, nor that able jurist, Hon. John J.
Brady of the Supreme Court. Again my narrative would be in-
complete did I not allude to the Berrians and the Briggs families
whose ancient pedigree and homesteads go back to dates whereof
the memory of man runneth not to the contrary. Josiah A. Briggs
recently Chief Engineer of the Borough of The Bronx, is always
to be seen in his familiar seat in the front section of Washington
Hall, the present Headquarters of the Old Timers, an interested
partaker in the deliberations of the Association. Also, on the
platform, gracing his position as one of the officials of the Old
Timers, Theodore Weberg, a natural born orator, commands more
than ordinary attention. His thrilling description of his campaign
under Grant during the last years of the Civil War vividly brings
back to the memory of all his hearers a critical period in the
history of the world. More than this, he has done much to im-
mortalize the heroic bravery of many of his fellow townsmen, whose
unknown graves lie somewhere on the banks of the Potomac and
Appomattox Rivers.
One great benefit will accrue from the incorporation of this
unique organization and it will result in the reunion of old com-
panions who, while living in the vicinity of one another, were,
singularly enough, not aware of the fact, for in all large cities fre-
quently intimate acquaintances ignorantly and unconsciously as
it were, reside in immediate proximity until some accidental meet-
ing reveals the truth that they were residents of the same street or
neighborhood. Very recently the writer himself met his former
friend James Lyon of Tremont, a well-known citizen of The Bronx.
Circumstances had separated us for over a score of years, and yet,
our homes were but a short distance apart.
Be this as it may, the Old Timers, at their monthly meetings,
discuss in an amicable spirit the strange vicissitudes and changes
that time and fortune have wrought in the various destinies of their
lives. A few who were running around bare-footed and coatless
for lack of better clothing when The Bronx was comparatively a
THE OLD TIMERS' ASSOCIATION 187
wilderness, are now wealthy, while their associates who were then
driving their horses and carriages thru its thorofares are now con-
ductors on our City Railroad. And, by the way, in those early
days the trolley system was an unknown factor, and only stages
took passengers to and from Manhattan Island, the heavy iron
bridge which afterwards spanned the Harlem River not then be-
ing in existence. It was alleged when this structure was built
that it contained enough metal to support two of its nature and
kind and that the same was paid for by the pound and not for its
entirety.
Previous to the date of its construction, a venerable wooden
bridge, too often useless and out of repair, supplied the necessities
of the then out-of-town settlers.
Briefly the Old Timers may be characterized as infinitesmal
atoms in the ocean of humanity around and about them. "The
old order yieldeth to the new," for now, alas, the members of this
odd fraternity can wander for hours about their native place, where
once everybody knew them, without receiving a single friendly nod
or greeting of recognition from anyone.
Before concluding my epitome of the novel organization of
which I write, let me say I would very much like, had I space and
opportunity, individually to specify all its members. Our genial
and overworked secretaries, Messrs. McCormick, Dyer and
Danfield, however, deserve and shall receive especial commenda-
tion for the cordial interest they have shown in its present and
future welfare. And the same may be deservedly said of its other
officials, George W. Pouder, William Huck and Josiah A. Briggs.
What is very gratifying to the Old Timers is the kind interest the
public has taken in its end and aim as well as the objects it seeks
to accomplish. The sympathy that their fellow citizens extend is
not only very pleasing but will stimulate our organization intelli-
gently and fittingly to carry the purposes for which it was organ-
ized. Possibly it may prove a laudable example for the old resi-
dents of the other boroughs of Greater New York to follow, and if
so, its life will not be in vain. In any event the writer hopes its
memory will not terminate with the lives of its present members.
INDEX
Adams, Abigail (Mrs. W; S.
Smith) , 138
Adams, George Washington . . . 138
Adams, President John 137, 138, 139
Adams, Mrs. John Quincy .... 139
Adams, President John Quincy 139
Albany, 5, 10, 64, 168
Albany Post Road ...55, 64, 146, 16C
Algonquin Indians 148
Allan, John 152,153
American Army, 19, 20, 55, 61, 86.
88, 108, 109, 112, 113, 126, 127, 128,
146, 147, 149, 162, 163, 170
American Bank Note Company . 41
Amsterdam 10
"Ancient Glebe" 182
Anderson, Rev. R 11
Andre, Major 149
Andriessen, Pieter 9
Andros, Governor Edmund 13
Annes Hoeck (Ann's Neck) 122, 123,
175, 177
Annhooke 136, 173
Aquahung 9
Arnold, General Benedict, 164, 165.
170, 171
Asia, British Frigate 93
Ayres, Captain 149
Baldwin, Colonel 128, 129
Bailey mansion 161
Barclay mansion 54
Barretto, Francis J 110
Barretto homestead 91
Barretto's Point ...89, 90, 91, 110
Bartow, Basil 73
Bartow, Rev. John 73, 180, 181
Bartow, Morley Hale 181
Bartow mansion 173, 175
Bathgate, Alexander 68
Bathgate farm 68
Baxter, Capt. Charles 144
Beck, Charles Bathgate 143
Beck Memorial Presbyterian
Church 143
Bedford 180
Bedford Park 40, 41, 109
Beekman mansion 115
Belmont '. 21, 141
Bensonia 21
Bensonia cemetery 81, 82
Berrian's Neck 4
Betts, Fletcher 87
Bitter, Karl 5
"Black Rock" 2
Black Swamp, the 68
Blauzes, the 135
Block, Adrien 8, 9, 121
Blythe 110
Board of Trade, North Side, 24, 70
Board of Education 73
Boars' Den 66
Bolton, Reginald P 62, 72, 161
Bonaparte, Joseph 178
Borough Hall 68
Boston mansion 178
Boston Post Road, 20, 55, 72, 140, 146,
159
Boston Road, 37, 43, 55, 64, 75, 107
143, 146, 160, 176
Botanical Gardens 65
Boulevard Lafayette 5, 57
Bound Brook 90
Bowne house 182
Bowne, Sidney B 182
Brady, Hon. John J 186
Brennan house 150
Bridges 29, 30, 45
Broadway 45, 53, 54
Bronx-Astoria 54, 55
Central (Macomb's Dam), 50, 51
52, 53, 54
City Island 133
Farmer's (Free, Dyckman's, or
Hadley's) 47, 48, 53, 161
Fourth j^ venue 53
Harlem (Third Avenue), 48, 49, 53
High 52
Hudson Memorial 5, 55
King's, 20, 45, 46, 47, 50, 52, 53, 54,
55, 62
Lenox Avenue 54
Madison Avenue 5<?
New York-New Jersey 43
Pelham 59
Putnam railroad 54
Ship Canal 54
Spuyten Duyvil Creek 45
University Heights 54
Washington 53, 54
Williams's 20
Willis Avenue 53
Briggs, Josiah A 186, 187
Brightside 142, 143
British Army, 19, 20, 65, 86, 88, 106,
107, 108, 109, 112, 113, 127, 128,
129, 146, 147, 161, 162
189
190
THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
Broadway 34, 35
Bi'oadway-Lexington Avenue sub-
way 29, 31, 34, 35
Bronck, Antonia Slagboom ...10, 119
Bronck, Frank C 10
Bronck, Jonas, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12, 83, 119
122
Bronck, Pieter Jonassen 10
Broncksland 12, 13, 119
Bronk, William R 10
Bronx Beautiful Society 70
Bronx, Borough of The, 1, 3, 5, 8, 9,
21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31,
32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 38, 39, 41, 42, 43,
44, 45, 54, 55, 56, 79, 81, 89, 95, 99,
102, 106, 122, 178, 183, 184, 185,
186, 187
Bronx Chapter, D. A. R. ...65, 130
Bronx County 25, 27, 33
Bronx Eye and Ear Infirmary . . 79
Bronx Hospital 79
Bronx Kills 19, 43, 54
Bronx Park, 2, 33, 43, 56, 66, 67, 68
Bronx River, 9, 20, 23, 28, 39, 40, 44,
59, 67, 81, 89, 119, 129, 148, 156,
157, 173
Bronx Society of Arts and
Sciences 67, 69
Brown, Chancellor Elmer Ells-
worth 71, 74
Brownson Literary Society 100
Bryant, Lieutenant 127
Bungay Creek 89
Burgoyne, Lieut.-Gen. John, 158, 170
Burr, Colonel Aaron, 108, 136, 149,
156
Bussing's Point 49
Byrnes, Police Inspector 82
Cajenquirogoe 18C
Caldwell, Supervisor 145
Calver, W. L 161
Cammann, Oswald, estate 161
Canal, Erie 16, 45
Harlem Ship 42, 45
Mott Haven 21
Carvel, Governor Ill
Casanova 33
Casanova mansion 83
Casanova,Yglesias 84, 85
Castle Hill Neck 121, 122
Cemeteries, 75, 80, 81, 82, 91, 136, 144
Central Union Gas Company ... 42
Chandler, Rev. Dr 121
Charles 1 173
Charles II 12, 174
Charter of Liberties 93
Chastellux, Marquis de 162
Chateauneuf, Marquis de 147
Chatterton Heights 147'
Cherry Point 126
Chimney Sweeps, The 135
Christian Brothers 120
Church of the Holy Nativity ... 147
Churches 76, 136, 143, 147
City History Club 64
City Island, 47 ,77, 129, 130, 133, 134,.
135, 175, 178, 179
City Island Road 58, 129, 178
Civil War, The, 70, 82, 144, 145, 186
Claremont 21
Claremont Park 56, 57, 68, 69
Clark, Daniel 72
Clason, Isaac 120
Clason's Point 37, 119, 120
Clason's Point Inn 120
Clason's Point Military Academy, 75,
120
Clemm, Mrs 152, 153
Clemm, Virginia, (Mrs. Edgar
Allan Poe), 69, 151, 15.3
Clinton, Gen. and Gov. George, 17,
47, 139, 147, 169
Clinton, General James 147
Clinton, Martha (Mrs. Havens) . 147
Cock Hill Fort 160
Cole, John 125
Colen, Donck 157
Coles, John B 48
College of the City of New York 99
Collins mansion 175, 176
Collins, Thomas . . ; 122
Colonial Dames, Society of 62
Columbia University 15, 99
Commissioners of Forfeiture ... 48
Committee of Public Safety, 15, 93,
169
Congress, Continental, 15, 16, 20, 128,
158, 163, 164, 170
Congress, Federal 138, 171
Constitution, Federal 16
Constitution, State 16
Convention, Constitutional 16
Convention of Towns 90
Cook, Walter 5
Cooper, Rev. Myles 121
Cornell, Sarah (Mrs. Thomas
Willett) 119
Cornell, Thomas 119
Cornell's Neck 119, 122
"Cornfield Neck" 91
Corsa, Andrew 109
Cortlandt Manor 167, 168, 170
Cortlandt manor-house, 168, 169, 170
Cosby, Gov. William 13, 14
Cousten, Josiah 122
Cox's Tavern 53
"Cradle of Cuban Liberty," The. , 83
INDEX
191
Crawford house 139
Crippled Children, class for 73
Crippled Children's Association . 173
Crombie, Thomas J 56
Cromwell, Elizabeth 122
Cromwell house 69, 122
Cromwell, James 122
Cromwell, John 122
Cromwell, Lord Protector Oliver, 12.
122
Croton Bay 168
Croton River 52, 156, 168
Crotona Park 56, 57, 68, 69
Crotona Parkway 68
Crystal Palace 66
Cunningham, Capt, William, 115, 116
117
Cunningham, Mrs 144
Curtis, Captain 129
Danfield, George H. Robert .184, 187
Daughters of Jacob 18
De Brant von Trogen 9
Decatur, Commodore Stephen . . . 135
Declaration of Independence, 14, 15
169
De Lancey, Col. James, 14, 106, 108
141, 162
De Lancey's Block House 108
De Lancey's Corps 108, 161, 162
De Lancey's Pine 108
De Long, Lieut.-Col 81
De Voe Park 57
De Voe's Point 49
"Devil's Stepping Stones" 131
De Vries, Pietrus Rudolphus . . .156
Dongan, Governor 168
Drake, John 180
Drake, Joseph Rodman, 95, 96, 97, 98,
100
Drake, Samuel 135
Duke of York (James II.), 13, 174,
175, 176
Dunderberg, The 75
Dutch, 4, 10, 11, 12, 13, 94, 123, 124,
156, 157, 173, 174
Dutch burial-ground 75
Dutch East India Company, 4, 9, 175
Dutch farmhouse 108
Dutch garden 63
Duyts, Laurens 9
Dyckman, Abraham 108
Dyckman, Jacob 47
Dyckman, Michael 108
Eastchester, 20, 72, 96, 135, 138, 139,
180, 181, 183
Eastchester Bay 128, 177
Eastchester Creek 139, 140
East Morrisania 21
East River, 45, 53, 89, 96, 106, 113^
119
Echo Park 57, 69
Eckford, Henry 96
Eden mansion 78
Edsall, Samuel 12
Edsall, Thomas Henry 165
Elton, Robert H 81
Eltona 21
Emmaus 9
Eustis, James 135
Exempt Firemen 183, 185
Faile, Charles V HI
Faile, E. G HI
Fairmount 141
Farragut, Admiral David G. . . . 81
Federal Building 43
Ferris, Benjamin 182
Ferris graveyard 181
Ferris, John 122
Ferris mansion 122
P'erris, Mrs. Sarah 179
Fish, R. Bronck 10
Fitzgerald, Edward 72
Fitzgerald, Louis 5€
Fletcher, Governor Benjamin, 13, 18C
Fordham, 55, 75, 89, 141, 150, 153, 154
Fordham Church 69, 154, 159
Fordham Company of Minute Men, 93
Fordham Heights 73, 161
Fordham Hospital 76, 78, 79
Fordham University 75, 109
Forster 14
Fort Cock Hill 160
Fort George 161
Fort Independence, 63, 146, 160, 161,
162, 166
Fort Number One 160
Fort Number Two 160
Fort Number Three 160
Fort Number Four 160
Fort Number Five 161
Fort Number Six 161
Fort Number Seven 161
Fort Number Eight 75, 161, 162
Fort Prince Charles 160
Fort Schuyler 126
Fort Swartout 16C
Fort Totten 126
Fort Tryon 161
Fort Washington 126, 160, 161
Fort Washington Point 6
Fowler, Henry 180
Fox Corners 141
Fox farm house 141
Fox, George 182
Fox, George, mansion 110
192
THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
Fox Hills 91
Fox}u(rf;t 141
Fox, William W 142
Franz Sip:el Park 57, 69
Fraunce's Tavern 8
Friends Meeting House 182
Ganley, J. V 33
Gates, General 17C
Gaynor, Mayor William J 24
George III 181
George' Point 169
Gibbs, L. G 33
Giles, William Ogden 160, 165
Glenn, Henry 159
Glover, Charles 72
Glover, Colonel John, 3, 58, 128, 129
130
"Glover's Rock" 3, 58, 130
"God's Acre" 98, 102
Godwin, J. H 53
Goose Island 135
Gott, Mr 73
Gouverneur, Sarah (Mrs. Lewis
Morris) 14
Graham, Isabella 14
Graham, Jones 180
"Grange," The Hunt 92, 95, 96
Grant's Tomb 99
"Gray Mare" 178
Great Eastern, The 86
Great Kill 9
Great Minniford's Island 133
Great Neck 114
"Grosjean" 139
Grove Farm Patent, The 90, 122
Grovehill 21
Guion Inn 139
Gun Hill Road 33
Hadley, George 48
Hadley house 64
Hadley, Joseph 92
Haffen, Hon. Louis F., 24, 25, 26, 183
Haight, Nicholas 133
Hale, Captain Nathan, 112, 114, 115,
116, 117
Halifax, British Flagship 115
Half Moon, The 4, 5, 6, 8
Hall, Edward Hagaman 161
"Hall of Fame" 75, 155
Halleck, Fitz-Greene 97
Halsey mansion 138, 139
Hamilton, Alexander 17, 136
Hand, Colonel Edward 127
Hand's Riflemen 127
Hardenbroeck, Margaret (Mrs.
Frederick Philipse) 156
Harlem 49, 127
Harlem Heights 112, 114
Harlem Heights, Battle of 126
Harlem River, 9, 20, 21, 29, 30, 31,
33, 35, 37, 43, 45, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52,
56, 75, 77, 133, 156, 161, 162, 183,
184, 187
Harrison, President William H. 132
Hart Island 134, 175
Haskin, John B 145
Haven House 147
Hawkins, Mr 181
Haughten, Charles W 21
Hazen, Lieut.-Col., Moses 170
Heath, General William, 19, 20, 106,
127, 146, 162
Heathcote, Col. Caleb 180
Heidermen, Julius 184, 186
Hell Gate 17, 112
Hemlock Grove 66
Henderson's Island 178
Henly, Major 20
Hessians 62, 128, 161, 162, 177
Hicksites 182
Higgins, Hon. Thomas J. . . .25, 71, 98
High Bridge 52
Highbridge 34, 35, 41, 50, 161
Highbridgeville 21
High Island 134, 175
High School, Gouverneur Morris, 70
76
Hoe, Peter 143
Hoe Octuple Press 143
Hoe, Col. Richard March . . . 142, 143
Hoe, Robert 142
Hoe Rotary Press 142
Hoit, Moses 135
Holler's Pond • 14C
Holmes, James 159
Home for the Friendless 80
Home Guards 106
Home for Incurables 78, 79
Hospitals 76, 79
Horton, George W 133
Horton Farm 135
Horton Homestead 135
Howe, Admiral Lord, 59, 67, 120, 128
Howe, General Sir William, 3, 58, 106,
114, 115, 126, 127, 129, 148, 158,
159, 176, 179
Howe Chestnut 59, 177
"Huckleberry Road" 121
Hudson, Henry 3, 4, 5, 6
Hudson Memorial Bridge 5, 55
Hudson Monument 5
Hudson River, 5, 31, 54, 55, 57, 75,
77, 97, 127, 156, 157, 160, 168
Huguenots 2, 139, 175
Hunnewell, Captain 108
INDEX
193
Hunt Burying-ground 90, 98, 101
Hunt Inn 141
Hunt, Josiah 12?
Hunt, Montgomery 92
Hunt, Judge Ward 9?
Hunt, Thomas (First), 90, 91, 92, 94
122, 123
Hunt, Thomas (Second), 90, 91, 92,
94, 141
Hunt, Thomas (Fourth), 93
Hunt's Point, 33, 39, 41, 89, 90, 92,
96, 97, 102, 122, 143
Hunt's Point Road, 89, 90, 91, 112,
143
Hunter, Elias des Brosses 178
Hunter, Elizabeth (Mrs. De Lan-
cey) 178
Hunter Island 175, 178
Hunter, John 134, 178
Hunter's Island Inn 178
Huntington Estate 131
Hussar, British Frigate, 86, 87, 101
Hustace, Joshua 133
Hustace House 147
Hutchins, Waldo 56
Hutchinson, Anne, 58, 122, 123, 124,
125, 136, 173
Hutchinson, Frances 124, 12?
Hutchinson River, 43, 59, 123, 128,
129, 135
Hyatt Farm 148
Hyatt's Tavern 159
Indian Brook 182
Indian Cave 106
Indian Field 65
Indian Lake 67
Indians, 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 15, 59, 60, 61.
64, 69, 89, 95, 106, 119, 120, 123
124, 125, 135, 136, 148, 156, 168,
169, 170, 173, 174, 178, 180
Interborough Rapid Transit Com-
pany 34, 35
Inwood 161
Irving, Washington 7, 97
Iselin, Columbus 178
Iselin Mansion 178
"Jack's Rock" 3
Jackson, Colonel 20
James II. (Duke of York), 13, 174,
175, 176
Jay, Frances (Mrs. Frederick
Van Cortlandt) 61
Jay, Chief Justice John 61, 149
Jenkins, Stephen 135, 158
Jessup, Edward 89, 90, 110, 141
Jessup, Elizabeth (Mrs. Thomas
Hunt, Jr.) 90, 92
Jessup, Maj.-Gen. Thomas Sidney, 90
Joseph Rodman Drake Park, 57, 102
Jumel, Madame 156
Jumel Mansion 114, 156
Ketcham, John 92
Kieft, Governor Wilhelm, 60, 123, 167
"King's Arms" 103, 104
"King's Battery," The 161
Kingsbridge, 34, 47, 128, 146, 158, 159,
160, 162, 163, 165, 169
King's Bridge, {See Bridges)
King's Bridge Road 55, 108, 161
King's College 15, 121, 156, 17C
"Kissing Bridge" 100
Knowlton, Lieut.-Col 114
Knyphausen, General von, 148, 160,
177
Kuyter, Jochem Pietersen ....9, 11
Laaphawachking 178
Lafayette Avenue 89, 100
Lafayette Boulevard 57
Lafayette Lane 100
Lafayette, Marquis de, 17, 100, 152,
171
Lancaster, Walter 135
Landing Road 90, 91
Lasher, Colonel 160
Laurel Hill 161
Lawrence House 65
Lebanon Hospital 77
Lee, Maj.-Gen. Charles, 128, 129, 130
Leggett Dock 110
Leggett, Gabriel (First), 89, 90, 92,
110, 141
Leggett, Gabriel (Second) ..90, 106
Leggett, Helmingino 110
Leggett's Lane 88
Leggett, Thomas 106, 107, IIC
Legislature, Colonial 55
Legislature, State, 14, 32, 48, 49, 56,
165, 171
Leisler, Governor Jacob 168, 175
Leisler's Rebellion 167
Lewis, Rev. Isaac 143
"Lexington of Westchester," The 127
Libraries 8C
Lincoln, Gen. Benjamin ....146, 162
Lincoln Hospital 77
"Little Mothers" Society 178
"Little Neck" 91
Livingston, Philip 132
Livingstone, Janet (Mrs. Rich-
ard Montgomery) 163
Livingstone, Judge Robert R. . . . 163
"Locusts," The 112
Long Island, 43, 74, 90, 99, 100, 121,
128, 135
Long Island, Battle of 113
194
THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
Lonp Island Sound, 8, 37, 43, 45, 78,
84, 8(i, 90, 99, 114, 126, 173, 177
Long Neck 91
Longwood Club House 87
Lorillard Mansion 67, 79
Louis Philippe d'Orleans 17
Lydig Estate 2
Lynch, Dominick 120
Lyon, James 186
Macedonia, English Frigate .... 135
Macedonian Hotel 135
Macomb, Alexander 49, 53
Macomb Mansion 53
Macomb, Robert 49, 50
Macomb's Dam Bridge ....51, 52, 54
Macomb's Dam Park 43, 57, 69, 80
Mamaroneck 34, 143, 180
Maminepoe 173
Manhattan, Borough of . . .57, 84, 134
Manhattan Indians 1
Manhattan Island, 4, 7, 8, 20, 30, 35,
45, 47, 55, 60, 113, 123, 126, 133,
145, 160, 187
Manufacturing 32, 41, 42
Marble Hill 159, 160
Mark Twain House 65
Marsh, Luther R 56
Marshall, Justice 14S
Marshall's Corners 134
Martin, Francis 33
Mather, Warren 180
Mathewson, Douglas 33
McCormick, Daniel A 184, 187
McGraw, Nicholas 21
McLean, George W 56
Meachem, Robert 90
Melrose 21, 145, 183, 185
Mercury, The 87
Mill Brook 14, 15, 18
Miller, Hon. Cyrus C. ..24, 43, 44, 70
Minnewit's Island 133
Minuit, Gov. Peter 133
"Mishow Rock" 178
Mohawk Indians 123
Mohegan Indians 1
Monroe, President James 93
Montgomery House 166
Montgomery, Gen. Richard, 160, 163,
164, 165
Montgomery, Sarah (Lady Rane-
lagh) 165
Montressor's Island, (See Ran-
dall's Island)
Morgan, Governor E. D 126
Morgan, Joseph 180, 181
Morgan, Joseph, House 135
Morris, Anna 68
Morris Dock 51
Morris Family 19, 68, 73
Morris, Gouverneur (First), 14, 16,
17, 18, 19, 20, 68
Morris, Gouverneur (Second), 17, 68
Morris, Gouverneur, Mansion, 17, 19,
109
Morris, Mrs. Gouverneur (Anne
Gary Randolph) 17, 18
Morris, Colonel Lewis ( First), 12, 13
Morris, Judge Lewis (Second,
called Senior) 12, 13, 14, 73
Morris, Lewis (Third, called Jun-
ior) 14, 15
Morris, Gen. Lewis (Fourth, the
Signer) 14, 15, 121
Morris, Lewis G 50, 51
Morris, Mary 13
Morris Park 33
Morris, Capt. Richard 12
Morris, Hon. Richard 14
Morris, Col. Roger 155, 156
Morris, Roger, House 114, 156
Morris, Gen. Staats Long 14, 15
Morris, William H., Mansion ... 18
Morrisania, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 49,
82, 108, 141, 145, 162, 183, 185
Morrisania, Old 9, 13, 15, 21, 128
Morrisania Manor 13, 14
Morrisania Mansion 65
Mosholu 34, 61
Mosholu Parkway 57, 65
Mott Haven 20, 21, 98 (note)
Mott Haven Canal 21
Mott, Jordan L 20, 21
Mount Eden 141
Mount Hope, 141
Mount Vernon 38
Mullay, John 56
Municipal Art Commission 5
Muschenheim, William C, 5, 158, 16C
Nappeckaniok E
National Cash Register Company 42
"Neutral Ground," The 106
New Amsterdam, 8, 12, 13, 119, 123,
157, 167, 174
New Jersey 12, 13, 15, 178
New Netherland 174
New Rochelle, 2, 20, 33, 42, 57, 98,
143, 146, 175, 178
New York Catholic Protectory . . 79
New York City, 20, 23, 24, 27, 30, 32,
35, 47, 49, 52, 55, 56, 57, 62, 73, 86,
96, 99, 119, 134, 159, 163, 167, 169,
170, 180
New York Edison Company ... 41
New York Province, 12, 13, 15, 175,
179
New York Public Library 80
New York State, 28, 33, 108, 158, 169,
170
INDEX
195
New York Telephone Company . . 42
New York University, 71, 73, 74, 161,
162
Nicolls, Gov. Richard, 89, 122, 136,
174, 175
Niles, William W 56
Nimham, Chief 65
Nipinchsen 4
Nonpareil, The 50, 51
North Brother Island 78, 86
North Carolina, Frigate 133
North, Lord 67
O'Brien, J. F 33
Odell's Barns 135
Ogden Mansion 178
Old Point Comfort 139
Old Timers' Association . 183, 186, 187
Old Trinity Church 2
Onrust, The 8
Oostdorp 173, 174
Orchard Beach 57
Orthodox Quaker Meeting House, 182
Palmer, Benjamin 47
Paparinemo 6, 46
Park Department 57, 69
Parks 32,40,56,70
Parkways 33, 43, 59, 66, 68
Parsball, James L 82
Parsons, General 146
"Parsonage Land" 182
Pasture Hill Burying Ground . . 181
Paulding, Captain 149
Paul Homestead 131
Peabody Home 80, 108
Peekskill 6
Pelham Bay Park, 3, 33, 35, 57, 59,
128, 178
Pelham Bridge 59, 130
Pelham Manor, 34, 57, 128, 133, 145,
173, 175, 176, 177, 180
Pelham Neck ....122, 123, 175, 177
Pelham Parkway 33, 43, 57
Pelham Road 130, 131
Pelham, Township of, 175, 176, 177
Pell, Benjamin 176
Pell Family 182
Pell Family Burial-ground 175
Pell, Isec 176
Pell, Jame's K 176
Pell, John 174, 176
Pell, John, D.D 175, 176
Pell, Joshua 176
Pell Manor-House 175, 176
Pell's Point 128, 148
Pell's Point, Battle of 129, 162
Pell, Thomas, 57, 133, 135, 173, 174,
175, 176
Pell Treaty Oak 173
Penfield Homestead 148
Perry, Commodore 147
Philipse, Eva (Mrs. Jacobus
Van Cortlandt) 168
Philipse, Frederick, 45, 46, 47, 156,
157, 168
Philipse, Frederick (Third), 156, 157
Philipse Manor-House 155, 156
Philipse, Mary (Mrs. Roger Mor-
ris) 155, 156
Philipseburgh, Manor of, 155, 156,
168, 169
Pinckney, Philip 135
"Planting Neck" 91, 94, 106
Poe Cottage 69, 150, 153
Poe, General David 152
Poe, Edgar Allan, 69, 150, 151, 152,
153, 154, 155
Poe Park 57, 69
Polak, Edward 33
Pole, Sarah 12
Population 23, 24, 29, 30
Port Morris ... .21, 33, 45, 54, 85, 86
Pot Rock 86
Pouder, George W 184, 187
Presbyterians 76, 143
Prescott, Col. William 127
Provincial Assembly, 46, 59, 168, 176
Provincial Congress, 15, 158, 159, 163,
169
Public School Number Four 74
"Pudding Rock" 2
Pugsley's Creek 121
Pulitzer, Joseph 81
Putnam, Col. Rufus 160
Quakers 13, 14, 182
Quaker Ridge 33
Quebec 14, 163, 164, 165, 171
Queen Anne 137, 181
Quinnahung 91, 123
Railroads 24, 30
Baltimore and Ohio .54
Elevated 35, 37
New York Central, 34, 40, 42, 160
New York, New Haven and Hart-
ford, 9, 15, 17, 33, 42, 54, 83,
134
New York, Westchester and
Boston, 33, 34, 37, 140
Pennsylvania 54
Ranachqua 9, 10
Randall, Sidwell S 183, 184
Randall's Island 19, 20, 54, 109
Randolph, John 17
Rasberry, Capt. William J 145
196
THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
Rat Island 135
Rattlesnake Brook 140
Read, Colonel 128, 129
Real Estate, 21, 25, 26, 27, 29, 36, 39
Reid Homestead 140
Reid, John 140
Reid's Mill 140
Rensellaerswyck 10, 60
Renwicks, The 50, 51
Rhinelander, T. J. 0 63
Rhinelander Sugar-House Prison, 63
115
Richardson, Elizabeth (Mrs.
Gabriel Leggett) 89, 92, 110
Richardson, John, 89, 90, 91, 110, 141
Riverdale 34, 168
Riverside Hospital 78
Robinson, Colonel 155
Rochambeau, Count de 62, 109
"Rocking Stone" 2, 66
Rodman, Samuel 178
Rodman's Neck ...133, 134, 175, 178
Roman Catholic Orphan Assy-
lum 161
Romayne, Dr. Nicholas 96
Rose Hill Manor-House 109
Rowe, Captain 63
Rye 180
Sackhoes 6
Sackwrahung 89
Sacred Heart Academy 120
Scarsdale 33
Scarsdale Manor 146
Schools 32, 73
Schulz, G. M 33
Schwab, Julius H 162
Schwab Mansion 162
Schuyler, General 163
Schuyler, Gertrude (Mrs. Steph-
anus Van Cortlandt) 168
Scott, General 146
Screven, John 120
Screven's Point 120
Seabury Creek 182
Seabury, Nathaniel 73
Seabury, Rev. Samuel 73, 121
Seton Hospital 78
Shahash 13
Sheard, Moses G 145
Sheldon, Mrs 154
Shepard, Colonel 128, 129
Shippen, Margaret (Mrs. Bene-
dict Arnold) 171
Shorackkappock 6
Shute, Thomas 140
Sigel, Gen. Franz 69
Simcoe, Lieut.-Col. John G. . . . 65
Sint Sine Indians 1
Siwanoy Indians, 1, 57, 121, 135, 173
Smith, John 133:
Smith, Mathew 142
Smith, Peter 142.
Smith, Col. W. S 137, 138
Siiakapins 119
Snake Hill 109
Society for the Propagation of
the Gospel, 72, 73, 180, 181
Society of St. Vincent de Paul . . 80^
Soldiers' Monument, West Farms, 141
Somler House 65
"Split Rock" 3, 123
"Split Rock" Road 3, 58, 176
Spuyten Duyvil, 4, 6, 7, 34, 78, 157,
158, 160
Spuyten Duyvil Creek, 4, 5, 6, 7, 43,
46, 48, 50, 57, 61, 156, 160
Spuyten Duyvil Hill 160
Spuyten Duyvil Parkway 5, 57
Spuyten Duyvil Road 160
"Spy House" 143
"Spy Oak" 131
Staats, Elizabeth (Mrs. Lewis
Morris) '. . 14
Stanton, Joseph 140
Stewart, A. T 82
Stockbridge Indians 65, 148
Stoll, Jacob Jans 10, 119
Story of the Bronx, The . . . 135, 158
Stuyvesant, Gov. Peter 173, 174
St. Ann's Avenue 17, 18
St. Ann's Episcopal Church ...18, 69
St. Boniface Inn 182
St. James Park 57, 68
St. John the Divine Cathedral . . 99
St. Joseph's Hospital 77, 78
St. Luke's Hospital 99
St. Mary's Park 57, 69
St. Paul's Church, Eastchester 136,
137, 139, 181
St. Paul's Church, Manhattan . . 165
St. Peter's Church, Westchester, 121,
179, 181, 182
St. Raymond's Cemetery 82
Subways 29, 31, 34, 36, 41
Sunnyside 143
Swartout, Col. Abraham 160
Synagogs 18, 76
Tackamuck 9
Taekmuck Indians 1
Talman, Pierre C 145
T ammerlane and Other Poems . . 153
Tankiteke Indians 1
Taxpayers' Alliance ...24, 25, 26, 27
"Ten Farms," The 135
Tennant. William 143
Tetard Farm 161
Tetard's Hill 159, 160
Theaters 36
INDEX
197
"The Bronx" 95, 96
"The Raven" 150, 155
Throckmorton, John 119, 123, 124
ThrogR's Neck, 40, 120, 123, 126, 127,
128, 131, 132
Tippet's Brook 58, 61,
Tippet's Hill 159, 160
Tiffany, Charles L 56
Tiger, The 8
Tompkins, Nathaniel 135
"Treaty Oak" 58
Tremont 36, 141, 145
Tryon, Governor 169
"Twelve Farms," The 92
Twin Islands 175, 178
Underhill, Capt. John 122
Union Hospital 78
Unionport 120
Union Railroad Company 22
Ursuline Convent 77
United Provinces 3
United States, 1, 29, 73, 75, 90, 145,
165
Cnitfd States, U. S. Frig'ate 135
University Park 57, 69
Upper Cortlandt 146
Valentine House 145, 146
Valentine's Hill 129
Van Alst, Pieter 10
Van Corlaer, Anthony 7
V'an Corlear, Arendt 10, 60
Van Cortlandt, Augrustus ....61, 169
Van Cortlandt Family, ..61, 167, 169
Van Cortlandt, Frederick 62
Van Cortlandt, Jacobus .64, 168, 169
Van Cortlandt, James 159
Van Cortlandt Lake 60
Van Cortlandt Mansion, ..61, 63, 64
Van Cortlandt, Oloff Stevenson, 167
Van Cortlandt Park, 33, 34, 40, 57, 59,
60, 61, 65, 146, 167, 169
Van Cortlandt, Philip . . 169, 170, 171
Van Cortlandt, Pierre ..169, 170, 171
Van Cortlandt, Pierre, Jr. ..171, 172
Van Cortlandt, Stephanus, 167, 168,
169
Van der Donck, Adrien ..7, 60, 157
Varian, Isaac, Homestead 145
Vault Hill 61
Vermilyee, Thomas 47
Verveleen, Johannes 45
Vincent, Elijah 136
Vincent, Gilbert 136
Vincent-Halsey Mansion 136, 138
Volunteer Fire Department .... 185
Vriedelandt 123, 173, 174
Wakefield 35, 148
Walworth, Chancellor 51
War of 1812 145
Ward, Andrew 135
Ward Bread Company 41
Ward's Island 54
Ward, Samuel 135
Woodstock 21, 141
Warren, Elizabeth 103, 104, 105
Warren Sa'J'e Hou.-;e 160
Warren, Simon 103
Washington, Georjje, 3, 15, 16, 17, 46,
47, 58, 61, 62, 65, 93, 100, 108, 109,
112, 113, 114, 115, 126, 127, 128,
129, 130, 137, 139, 146, 147, 148, 152,
155, 156, 157
Washington Bridge 53, 54
Washington Bridge Park 57, 69
Washington's Gun House 148
Washington Hall 186
Washingtonville 148
Watson Estate 2, 39, 119
Webb, William Henry 75
Webb's Academy and Home .... 75
Weberg, Theodore 184, 186
Weckquaesgeek Indians, 1, 10, 106,
123
Wells, Hon. James L. Wells, 25, 71,
102
Westchester, 35, 72, 73, 99, 104, 119,
121, 122, 144, 156, 173, 174, 179,
180, 182, 183
Westchester Avenue, 35, 37, 38, 39,
43. 77, 119, 142, 179
Westchester County, 10, 14, 15, 45,
49, 55, 59, 106, 107, 110, 123, 128,
141, 142, 157, 158, 159, 175, 176,
177, 180
Westchester Creek 43, 121, 127
Westchester Golf Club 3, 119
Westchester Guides 109
Westchester Path 54
Westchester Turnpike 143
West Farms, 34, 35, 78, 92, 93, 108,
109, 141, 143, 144, 145, 173, 183,
185
West Farms Cemetery 144
West Farms Patent 89
West Farms Presbyterian Church 143
West India Company 7, 167
West Morrisania 21
White Plains, 3, 15, 33, 55, 58, 127,
128, 129, 147, 148, 157, 169, 177
White Plains, Battle of 59, 157
Whiting Mansion 78
Whitlock, Benjamin M 83
"Whitlock's Folly" 84
Whitman, Mrs. Sarah Helen, 151, 153
Wild Boar Hill 63
198
THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX
Wilkins Creek 121
Wilkins's Farmhouse 121
Wilkins, Rev. Isaac 121, 182
Wilkins, Couverneur Morris . . . 121
Willett, Elizabeth 102
WilU'tt's Point 12(5
Willett, Thomas 120
William III 13, 1(58
William IV 62
Williams, John 147
Williams, Roger 119, 122
Williamsbridge, 35, 141, 145, 146, 147,
159
Willis, N. P 154
Winthrop, Gov. John 174
"Wishing Rock" 148
"Wishing Seat" 157
Wolfe, Catherine Lorillard .... 79
Wolf's Lane 176
Woodbridge, Major 108
Woodlawn 35
Woodlawn Cemetery 20, 40, 81
Woodlawn Heights 40
Woodlawn Road 35, 145, 147
Wood side Ill
Wooster, General 146
Wykagyl 34
Yates, Robert 159
Yonkers, 5, 7, 35, 40, 60, 155, 156, 157,
169, 180
Zborowsky Farm 68
Zborowsky Mansion 68
Zborowsky, Martin 68
Zerega Mansion 122
Zerega's Point 122
Zoological Gardens 65, 66, 77
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